Abakozi b’ikigo cy’igihugu cy’ingoboka barasaba abaturage bo mu murenge wa Ndego mu karere ka Kayonza kwandika basaba indishyi z’ibyo bangirijwe n’inyamaswa za Parike y’Akagera kugira ngo bishyurwe.

Babivugiye mu nama yabahuje n’abaturage bo mu murenge wa Ndego n’ubuyobozi bwa Parike y’Akagrera tariki 20/11/2012. Babwiye abo baturage ko hashize amezi agera kuri abiri amafaranga yo kwishyura abangirijwe n’inyamaswa za Parike abonetse nk’uko bivugwa na Semugisha Theogene ushinzwe irangamimerere mu murenge wa Ndego.

Mu byagiye byangijwe n’inyamaswa za Parike harimo imyaka y’abaturage, abantu izo nyamaswa zakomerekeje ndetse n’abo zishe. Abo bose ni bo bazishyurwa utwabo uhereye ku byangijwe kuva mu mwaka wa 2002 nk’uko Semugisha akomeza abivuga.

N’ubwo hagezweho gahunda yo kwishyura ibyo inyamaswa za Prike y’Akagera zangije, izo nyamaswa ziracyasohoka muri Parike zikajya kwangiriza abaturage. Tariki 16/11/2012, inzovu zasohotse muri Parike y’Akagera zijya mu kagari k’Isangano n’aka Karambi mu murenge wa Ndego.

Cyakora ngo nta baturage zahutaje, ariko zonnye imyaka y’abaturage. Abaturage bo muri uwo murenge bavuga ko bishimiye kuba bagiye kwishyurwa ibya bo byangijwe n’inyamaswa za Parike y’Akagera. Gusa banavuga ko uruzitiro rwa Parike y’Akagera rukwiye kubakwa rugakomezwa kuko “n’ubwo parike yatangiye kuzitirwa zimwe mu nyamaswa zigisohoka muri Parike zikajya mu baturage”

Guarantee fund officials have asked residents of Ndego sector in Kayonza district to write a letter demanding compensation over their property destroyed by animals in Akagera National Park.

The officials revealed this during the meeting that gathered residents of Ndego sector and Akagera park administration on November 20^th 2012.

Guarantee fund is subsidiary of Rwanda Development Fund (RDF) which manages several credit guarantee funds.

Guarantee fund is a facility put in place by the Rwandan government as an instrument to boost investment in different sectors. The aim of this guarantee is to promote financing to viable rural projects without enough collateral or regarded risky by banks.

Theogene Semugisha, civil registrar in Ndego sector revealed that compensation money has been available for two past months.

“Elephants destroyed crops, wounded some residents and killed others. These residents will be compensated of all the destruction ever since 2002,” Semugisha highlights.

Though residents are set to receive compensation, animals are still escaping and destroying more property.

An example is how elephants escaped from the Akagera national park on November 16^th 2012 and wondered in Isangano and Karambi cells in Ndego sector.

However, the elephants did not harm any human being but ate up residents crops.

Residents are celebrating over compensation but suggest the park’s fence be rebuilt and strengthened to prevent the problem.

A tourist relaxes at the Serena-Rubavu beachside in July (Courtesy photo)

Despite the crisis in eastern DR Congo and “two isolated skirmishes”, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) says Rwanda remains one of the safest places for tourists and all other travelers.

The agency has also reassured the business community that it is safe to travel to all parts of Rwanda. The situation in Eastern DRC has resulted in two isolated skirmishes on Rwandan territory which were rapidly contained and border security has been reinforced to prevent recurrence.

“We would like to reassure visitors that it is business as usual at all our tourism destinations,” said Clare Akamanzi, acting CEO of RDB, in a statement on Thursday (December 06).

“Travellers to Rwanda continue to enjoy the magnificent scenery, pleasant climate, rich culture and diverse wildlife in our national parks, including the rare mountain gorillas.”

The US embassy in Kigali released a travel advisory on Monday this week urging Americans to avoid non-essential travel to areas bordering DRC – mainly Rubavu. The US embassy wants Americans to stay away from those areas.

“Pending clarification of the situation, the U.S. Embassy has restricted travel of official Americans to Rubavu District, Volcanoes National Park, the town of Kinigi, and the area to the north and west of Kinigi that abuts Volcanoes National Park,” said the Embassy in a statement posted on its site.

All these singled places are some of Rwanda’s most visited sites by tourists because of the gorillas and the well developed hospitality industry. Rubavu, for example, is home to Hotel Serena.

Despite the conflict in eastern DRC that does not seem to go away for years, tourists have flocked to Rwanda year-in-year-out. The country received more than 680,000 visitors last year. A much bigger number is expected to be recorded by end of this year.

RDB’s Akamanzi noted that tourism has been successful over the past years and continues to be Rwanda’s number one foreign exchange earner.

“While ecotourism remains the key attraction for visitors coming to the land of thousand hills, we are working to increase conference and events tourism, a goal that will be facilitated by newly registered hotel investments such as Marriott, Radisson Blu and most recently Sheraton.”

Ikiyaga cya Karago kimwe mu byiza nyaburanga by’akarere ka Nyabihu

Uretse ikirunga cya Kalisimbi,imisozi myiza ya Gishwati n’inzuri,Ibere rya Bigogwe, n’ibindi byiza bitatse Nyabihu,Ikiyaga cya Karago ni kimwe mu byiza nyaburanga akarere ka Nyabihu gafite.

Iki kiyaga kikaba giherereye hagati y’umurenge wa Karago na Mukamira. Nk’uko Karambizi Benjamin ushinzwe ibidukikije mu karere ka Nyabihu yabidutangarije,ikiyaga cya Karago kiri ku buso bwa ha 100. Kikaba ubwacyo ari kimwe mu bidukikije bifite ubwiza nyaburanga butatse akarere ka Nyabihu.

Uretse kuba ari icumbi ry’urusobe bw’ibinyabuzima bikunda amazi ndetse n’ibiyabamo,gitera amahumbezi meza aho kiri,kandi kikaba na kimwe mu byiza bihatatse. Kuri icyo kiyaga haboneka bimwe mu binyabuzima nk’inyoni n’ibindi byakurura ba mucyerarugendo.

Kugeza ubu,bitewe n’isuri yakunze kucyangiza imanuka mu mugezi wa Nyamukongoro ukisukamo,akarere ka Nyabihu,ikigo cy’igihugu gishinzwe kwita ku bidukikije REMA,Minisiteri y’umutungo kamere n’abandi bafatanyabikorwa,bakoze ibishoboka byose mu kukibungabunga. Ibi bikorwa na n’ubu biracyakomeje,kugirango ikiyaga cya Karago gisubirane ubwiza bw’amazi cyahoranye mu myaka yashize ndetse n’ubunini cyahoranye.

Ibyo bikorwa bikaba bikorwa mu rwego rwo kubungabunga ibidukikije n’umutungo kamere. Abaturage bakaba basabwa kubungabunga iki kiyaga,amafi aherutse guterwamo n’ibidukikije muri rusange,kuko uretse bo ubwabo bacyegereye gifitiye akamaro,ibidukikije binafatiye runini Abanyarwanda n’isi muri rusange. Kubifata neza ikaba ari imwe mu ntambwe yo kurwanya imihindagurikire y’ibihe iteza ingaruka zitandukanye hirya no hino ku isi.

Tourists in Rwanda also confirmed that their stay in Kigali city and the countryside is mainly marked with a sense of safety and feeling welcomed in the community despite the cultural differences.

“everywhere you go, you find there are security personnel and one of the biggest experiences of safety was one our truck had mechanical problems- the police and residents were there to help” one Mark O’Connell says, “even while walking on the streets of Kigali, I have never had a thought that someone would rob me, unlike in other cities in Africa.

A research report codenamed “‘Global States of Mind’ released by Gallup on October 31, 2012, indicated that Rwanda ranked top of the list of African countries where citizens are least likely to feel safe according to a research report conducted and

Rwanda scored 92percent followed by Georgia 91percent, and Qatar 91percent, while in Africa Niger was the second ranked country at 84 per cent

Responding to the outcomes of the Director General of Rwanda Governance Board, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, on December 4, 2012, expressed satisfaction that the governance approach the country has chosen to apply is working for its people, as reported in the influential Gallup’s World Poll of 2012

Prof. Shyaka said Rwanda would continue to build on the successes mentioned above in the effort to take good governance to even higher levels.

The research also highlighted issues of widespread corruption in government indicators, in which Rwanda ranked as the second, scoring 12percent, next to Singapore which scores 5percent, in terms of least widespread of corruption.

The US Embassy in Kigali (Courtesy photo)

Travel to northern parts of Rwanda and the Virunga park for gorillas “is no longer restricted” for Americans, the US Embassy in Kigali has announced in a message to American nationals.

The embassy late last month released a travel advisory urging Americans to avoid non-essential travel to areas bordering DRC – mainly Rubavu. The US embassy had wanted Americans to stay away from those areas following two negligible attacks by Rwandan FDLR rebels on Rwandan soil.

But in a December 06 statement, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) dismissed the concerns. “We would like to reassure visitors that it is business as usual at all our tourism destinations,” said Clare Akamanzi, acting CEO of RDB, in the statement.

Now, in a new development, the US Embassy says all is fine for its nationals to travel to any part of the country.

“The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens that travel by official U.S. citizen personnel to the Rubavu district, Volcanoes National Park, the town of Kinigi, or the area to the north and west of Kinigi that abuts Volcanoes National park is no longer restricted,” said the Embassy in a December 10 advisory.

“U.S. citizens are no longer advised to avoid the aforementioned areas.  There are currently no daytime travel restrictions in place for official U.S. citizens within Rwanda.”

Despite the conflict in eastern DRC that does not seem to go away for years, tourists have flocked to Rwanda year-in-year-out. The country received more than 680,000 visitors last year. A much bigger number is expected to be recorded by end of this year.

Aho abantu bazajya bicira isari n’inyota bitegeye ikiyaga cya Kivu

Nyuma y’umwaka wose itegerejwe, plage mpimbano ya Nyakariba ngo ishobora gutangira kwakira abantu mu mpera za 2012.

Hashize umwaka ahitwa Nyakariba mu mujyi wa Kibuye batangiye kuhubaka aho abantu bazajya baruhukira bumva amahumbezi aturuka mu Kivu, bari no ku musenyi muhimbano (plage artificielle / artificial beach). Ariko hashize igihe kirenga umwaka imirimo yo kubaka yarahagaze.

Nk’uko byemezwa na NGARAMBE Vedaste, Rwiyemezamirimo urimo kubaka iyo plage, ngo yagiye ahura n’inzitizi nyinshi mu mirimo ye. Avuga ko usibye akazi ka mbere kari kagoranye cyane ko gukuraho urufunzo no kuhumisha mbere yo kuhamena amabuye n’umusenyi, ngo yanagize ikibazo cyo gutinda guhabwa ibyangombwa n’Ikigo cy’Igihugu Gishinzwe Ibidukikije (REMA).

Mu kiganiro twagiranye kuri Telefone, Mutabazi Vedaste yavuze ko aho hantu hasuwe na REMA na RDB  bakamwemerera ibyangombwa, nawe akaba arimo kwisuganya mu rwego rw’imari, ku buryo mu mpera z’uyu mwaka plage ya Nyakariba izatangira kwakira abantu. Ni byo asobanura agira ati: Ndabizeza ko ku bunani rwose muzatangira kuhafatira akantu.

Iyo ugeze ahubakwa plage ya Nyakariba mu murenge wa Bwishyura, koko usanga imirimo y’ibanze yararangiye. Inzu igenewe kwakira abaje kwica akanyota n’isari yamaze gusakarwa, umusenyi muhimbano nawo wamaze kumenyera, usibye ko ibyiyoni ari byo bihibera kubera ko hataratangira gukoreshwa.

Umusenyi wamaze kumenyera, igisigaye n’ibyiyoni byimukira abantu

Ni umushinga Rwiyemeza mirimo yumvikanyeho n’akarere ka Karongi we akahashora imari, akarere nako kakazumvikana nawe ku micungire yaho amaze kuharangiza, nk’uko byemejwe n’umuyobozi w’akarere ka Karongi Kayumba Bernard agira ati: Akarere nta mafaranga gaha abikorera, twe tuzumvikana nawe kuri gestion yaho aharangije.

For the first time American couple Joe Mc Donald and his wife Mary Ann Mc Donald stepped on Rwandan soil with intension to visit the famous Rwandan Mountain Gorillas. The trip left a lasting memory and enthusiasm that the set a target of visiting Rwanda for 75 more times.

After twelve years of visiting Rwanda, spending from the savings and bringing along some of the friends to witness the beauty of the country of a thousand hills, the couple finally met their goal this December 3, 2012, on their 75^th trip to the Virunga mountain gorillas in Kinigi sector, Musanze district in the northern province of Rwanda.

The couple didn’t only meet their goal but also become the first group of foreign vistors to visit the gorillas more times, spend more money (estimated at $1million- Rwf640.000.000) and to a larger extent, they couple has always brought some friends along with them to have a similar experience.

Now in the late 60, Joe Mc Donald and his wife Mary Ann Mc Donald, residents of the state of Pennsylvania , still feel strong and energized for having met their goal in life and feel relatively connected to the people of Rwanda as the second home.

During their trips to Rwanda, the couple also has been collecting photos of Gorillas for their company- Mc Donald wildlife Photography. The couople says that they have chosen Rwanda among all African countries because they have always felt secure and welcomed at all times.

A research report codenamed “‘Global States of Mind’ released by Gallup on October 31, 2012, indicated that Rwanda ranked top of the list of African countries where citizens are least likely to feel safe according to a research report conducted and

Rwanda scored 92% followed by Georgia 91%, and Qatar 91%, while in Africa Niger was the second ranked country at 84 per cent.

As a way of appreciating their contribution to Rwanda economy- of which tourism remains the largest foreign earner, the Rwandan community in Musanze district threw a bash party for the couple.  Mc Donald and his wife Mary Ann were dressed in Rwandan traditional attire and joined by the community to celebrate this achievement.

Though in the late years, the couple said that they would not stop visiting their Rwandan home, and they would like to meet a new target of visiting Rwanda at least 100 times before they get very older. The couple says that they are motivated by the fact that they get new ideas each time the visit Rwanda.

Joe Mc Donald, 60, says: I find Rwanda and the people to be very welcoming and very peaceful. Even when we visit other countries in the region, we find it hard not to visit Rwanda, because we consider this as our second home”

The testimony of the American couple has however left a lasting impression for Rwandans who deal in the tourism sector. One, Paul Muvunyi, a manager at Mountain View Lodge- where the couple likes to stay, says that: This is a lesson that all service providers to always give clients the best customer care. This is because most of the clients will always be attracted to visit the country if they get value for their money spent while here”

The Virunga National Park official, Prosper Uwingeri hailed the American couple for their unfailing love for Rwanda and noted that such thanksgiving ceremonies are organized to recognize the contribution of pertinent tourists who have played a significant role in the community around the park.

The ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of Musanze district, Winifrida Mpembyemungu who also reechoed the importance of the community in working hard to promote tourist activities in the country. She said that the example of Joe Mc Donald and his wife Mary Ann, was exemplary to the Rwandan community.

Juru avuga ko bitewe n’ubukonje,urwibutso rushinguwemo abazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi rwa Mukamira rurimo kwangirika

Urwibutso rushyinguyemo imibiri y’abazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi mu mwaka w’1994 rwa Mukamira, rufite ikibazo cy’ubukonje burwangiza nk’uko Juru Anastase uhagarariye IBUKA mu karere ka Nyabihu abivuga.

Hamwe na hamwe mu bice bw’imbere mu rwibutso,amarangi yagiye yomoka anafata irindi bara bitewe n’ubukonje

Gusa ngo mu mpamvu zitera ubu bukonje, harimo ko uru rwibutso rutubastwe ngo rurangire nk’uko byagombaga  kugenda nk’uko Juru abigarukaho. Igice cya mbere cya kave cyasabaga miliyoni 60 kikaba cyarubastwe, igice cya kabiri kikaba kitarubakwa. Uru rwibutso rukaba rwaragombaga kuzura rutwaye miliyoni 120.

Ikibazo cyabayeho ngo ni uko bari baremerewe amafaranga miliyoni 60 zisigaye na Minisiteri y’umuco ariko kugeza ubu akaba ataratanzwe ngo rwuzuzwe. Avuga ko bandikiye Minisiteri y’umuco,nayo ikabasubiza ibabwira ko dosiye yagiye muri Komisiyo y’igihugu ishinzwe kurwanya Jenoside CNLG,aho n’iyi komisiyo yabasubije ko nta mafaranga ahari.

Nubwo amafaranga bari biteze ataraboneka,Juru avuga ko bitewe n’uko uru rwibutso rurimo kwangirika hari icyakorwa ku bufatanye bw’akarere n’abaturage. Avuga ko muri kongere ya IBUKA bakoze I Kigali, hari uturere twamurikaga ko twiyujurije inzibutso zigera kuri 3.

Kubera izo mpamvu,Juru akaba asanga hakozwe ubufatanye bw’akarere n’abaturage ndetse n’akarere kagashyira inzibutso muri budget yako,hari ibyo babasha kwikemurira bijyanye n’ ikibazo nk’iki.

Nyuma y’aho uru rwibutso rwa Mukamira rushinguriwemo mu cyubahiro indi  mibiri 39 y’abazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi, kuwa 09 Werurwe 2012,kugeza ubu  hashyinguwemo imibiri ibihumbi bibiri na makumyabiri. Ushinzwe IBUKA mu karere ka Nyabihu Juru Anastase ,akaba asaba ko hakorwa ibishoboka byose ngo urwibutso rwa Mukamira rwe kwangirika bityo n’imibiri irushinguwemo ntizangirike.

Abaturiye Pariki y’iguhugu ya Nyungwe barakangurirwa kugira uruhare rugaragara mu kuyibungabunga ndetse n’ibiyibonekamo,ba rushimusi n’abandi bose bagifite inyota yo kuyangiza na  bo bakaba bagirwa inama yo kubicikaho kuko ubu hafashwe ingamba zihamye zashobora kubagiraho ingaruka zikomeye. Ubu butumwa bwatanzwe n’ubuyobozi bw’iyo pariki nyuma yo gusura bimwe mu bice byayo byangiritse ku bwo kuhacukura amabuye y’agaciro ya Zahabu.

Ni nyuma y’urugendo rurerure rwamaze amasaha abarirwa mu icumi n’amaguru bazunguruka iyo Pariki y’Igihugu ya Nyungwe kuwa 19/12/2012,hasurwa ibice bimwe na bimwe byagiye byibasirwa n’abacukuzi b’amabuye y’agaro arimo na zahabu,igikorwa cyagiye kigira ingaruka  ku biti kimeza bigize iyo pariki ndetse n’imigezi iyiturukamo nk’uwa   Tangaro ,uru rugendo rutari rworoshye,rukaba rwari mu rwego kugaragariza abafatanyabikorwa barimo n’ab’inzego z’umutekano ubwo bugizi bwa nabi bityo ngo habe hafatirwa hamwe ingamba zihamye zo guhashya abo babigiramo uruhare,nk’uko  Bwana NZAMUYE Patrce,ushinzwe umutekano w’iyo pariki yabitangaje.

Uretse ubwo bucukuzi bw’amabuye y’agaciro butemewe bugira ingaruka zikomeye   kuri iyo Pariki y’Igihugu ya Nyungwe,mu bindi byatunzewe agatoki mu biyibasira ni inkongi z’umuriro za hato na hato  ndetse n’abahigi ngo batangiye no kwibasira zimwe mu nyamanswa ziyibonekamo zikunzwe nab a mukereraugendo zo mu bwoko bw’inguge,ibi bikaba ngo  byo bitari bisanzwe,aha hakaba hanavuzwe ku bugizi bwa nabi bw’abo babikora,bahereye ku rugero rw’umwe mu bayirinda uherutse gutemagunwa na  bo ,ubwo yari mu kazi ubu akaba akiriye kwa muganga.Bwana RUGERINYANGE Louis umuyobozi wa Pariki ya Nyungwe aha mu butumwa bwe yashimangiye ubufatanye bw’inzego zose mu kurinda iyi pariki ku bw’uko ari umutungo w’igihugu winjiza amadevize,ndetse ikangira akamaro muri rusange ku baturarwanda bose,gashingiye ahanini ku  bidukikije n’urusobe rw’ibinyabuzima.

Ubu bufatanye kandi bwongeye gushimangirwa n’intumwa zari zaturutse mu gihugu cy’u Burundi,na  cyo gihana imbibe n’iyo pariki binyuze mu Kibira,hagaragazwa ko abo bayangiza  bajya bihisha muri ibyo bihugu byombi. MUHAMEDI Feruzi ayobora Ikigo c’Igihugu Gishinzwe kurengera ibidukikije mu Burundi. Ahibasiwe cyane hasuwe hangijwe n’abacukuzi b’amabuye  y’agaciro muri Pariki y’Igihugu ya Nyungwe  ni ahitwa Uwurukoko,akagari ka Rasano,umurenge wa Bweyeye akarere ka Rusizi, agace gaherereye mu ishyamba rwagati. Umuryango utera inkunga ibikorwa byo kubungabunga iyo pariki  ya Nyungwe W.C.S ukaba wari witabiriye urwo rugendo.

Animals in the Akagera National Park

As the year draws to an end, reports show that poaching in Akagera National Park in Eastern Province and the Northern Province against the endangered mountain gorillas of Africa has increased.

The police urges the  public especially those living near these parks to find something tangible they could invest their time instead of engaging in poaching which is a crime and punishable by law.

“We caution people residing close to national parks and game reserves to avoid activities in the parks. We urge them to work with security organs in case wildlife wanders into communities so that they can quickly intervene and tranquilize them before they cause havoc,” said the police in a statement.

“We all know that man coexistence with wild life has proved to be uneasy given circumstance involved. Wild life creates havoc to neighborhoods near wildlife reserves and national parks where they invade residential areas destroying crops and injuring humans.

On the other side, humans also affect the wildlife through criminal activities such as poaching, an activity that wildlife conservationists campaign against.”

A good example can be found at the Akagera National Park where several cases of wildlife invading residential areas have been reported. Likewise human activity such as grazing in the national park, poaching have been reported to destabilize conservation initiatives.

Yet it is imperative that both humans and wildlife to co-exist without any causing harm to each other.

This year, RDB went as far as putting in place an electric fence to keep the wildlife from wandering into communities that neighbor national parks. The move will keep away buffaloes, elephants and crocodiles that have been causing trouble to communities close to the National Parks.

Police says that wildlife conservation is important for environmental reasons as well as economical ones. Wildlife significantly contributes to the economy given the ever increasing number of tourists visiting the country.

According to article 417 of the new penal code which stipulates that any person, who poaches, sells, injures or kills a gorilla or any other protected endangered animal species shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five to ten years and a fine of five Rwf 500, 000 to Rwf 5 million.

Residents of Rubavu district have been urged to play a major role in promoting tourism activities by welcoming tourists, maintain tourist attractions sites and avoiding the habit of begging visitors.

Jean Marie Vianney Ruhamanya, the district official in charge of cooperatives and tourism, says that the district has come up with a tourism promotion agenda for 2013 and there is need to have the contribution of residents in order to achieve it.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has designated Rubavu district as one of the priority areas of tourism zones because of its vast tourist attractions. The district has over 30 sites which range from historical sites, natural forests, lakes and rivers, mountains among others.

Ruhamanya said that residents must maintain the general cleanliness of the designated sites, and give a warm welcome to tourists who visit the historical, and show a sign of self respect which will encourage more tourists to visit and thus more foreign earnings through the sector.

To the contrary, most residents living around these sites, in Rubavu district expressed ignorance of the value of tourist sites but were supportive of the district initiative.

Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner in Rwanda’s economy. From January 2012, the sector brought in US$232million from US$204millions- making an increment of US$28million.

In his state of the nation address in 2012, President Paul Kagame also called Rwandans to promote the sector so as to give a good image of the country and encourage more tourists to visit the country as one of the most favorable tourist destinations in Africa.

Ngarama rock

Gatsibo district administration with Rwanda development board (RDB) is to set up infrastructures around Ngarama rock site to improve tourism.

This follows the fact that no big tourism activity has been done in this place inspite of being a historical site.

With the foot prints of King Ruganzu and that of his dogs, Ngarama rock is located in Ngarama sector in Gatsibo district.

The mayor of Gatsibo district, Ambroise Ruboneza revealed to the reporter that with the help of RDB they plan to build a 24 kilometres road to Ngarama rock in two years time.

Ruboneza says that infrastructures like buildings and banks have been set up in Ngarama town to improve customer care towards the tourists.

Investors are asked to invest in building hotels in Ngarama town to accommodate visitors that come to Ngarama rock.

Some of the interesting features on the rock are footprints of King Ruganzu, foot prints of his dogs and the kings drum.

Urwibutso rwa Buranga rushyinguwemo imibiri y’abazize Jenoside hafi 1000.

Urwibutso rwa Buranga rushyinguwemo imibiri 989 y’abazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi muri Mata 1994 ruri mu Murenge wa Kivuruga, Akarere ka Gakenke rugiye gusanwa kugira ngo rube ari urwibutso rwujuje ibisabwa.

Iki gikorwa giteganyijwe mu minsi mike iri imbere kuko guhera kuwa kabiri tariki 22/01/2013 hazakurwamo imibiri ishyinguwemo kugira ngo ibikorwa by’ubwubatsi bitangire.

Icyiciro cya mbere, hazatunganwa ahazashyingurwa imibiri  hanyuma hanazamurwe n’inzu izashyirwamo ibikoresho byahoreshejwe  bicwa ndetse n’amafoto yabo; nk’uko Mukamukesha Julienne, umukozi wa Komisiyo yo kurwanya Jenoside (CNLG) abisobanura.

Akomeza avuga ko icyo gikorwa kigamije gutunganya urwo rwibutso rukaba urwibutso rwujuje ibyangombwa, umuntu wese uruganye agasobanukirwa neza amateka yaranze Jenoside  yakorewe Abatutsi muri Mata 1994.

Yanashimangiye ko nta ho bihuriye no gushinyagurira abacitse ku icumu ubwo bazakura iyo mibiri mu mva ishyinguwemo igashyirwa ahandi mu gihe gito cy’iyo mirimo y’isanwa ry’urwibutso.

Abafashe ijambo bose mu nama yabaye tariki 17/01/2012, bahamagariye abacitse ku icumu kugira icyo gikorwa icyabo no kuba hafi abashobora kuzahura n’ihungabane.

Iyi nama yateguwe n’akarere n’abandi bafatanyabikorwa harimo CNLG na AVEGA mu rwego rwo gusobanurira abacitse ku icumu impamvu z’icyo gikorwa.

Buranga memorial site in Kivuruga sector in Gakenke District which has precisely 989 bodies of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis is soon to be renovated to be one of the best memorial sites in the district with required  standards.

Buranga memorial site

The renovation of this memorial site is yet to begin as on Tuesday the 22^nd.JHan.2013, the bodies laid to rest in this memorial site will be will taken out of their places for the renovation of the memorial site to commence.

The renovation process will first deal with the area where the victims’ bodies will be put then a house where the tools that were used in the massacre will be put and lastly where the photos of the victims buried in this memorial site will be put as Julienne Mukamukesha a worker in the commission that fights against Genocide (CNLG) explained.

Mukamukesha went on to say that this renovation is to make the memorial site a better one and with all requirements so that whoever visits will be able to understand everything that transpired during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.

She made it clear that that transferring the bodies of genocide victims is in no way related to mocking of the genocide survivors but just a short period of way of renovating the memorial site.

All people who delivered speeches during the meeting preparing this program on the 17^th.Jan.2013, called upon genocide survivors to own this program and ensure smooth operations while all people have to support genocide survivors in this trying period especially those that would be traumatized by this program.

This meeting was prepared by the district administration with the support of CNLG and AVEGA to explain to genocide survivors the reasons why the renovation program has to happen.

The Huye district council has finally resolved on a decision to renovate a historical hotel (Hotel Faucon) and recommended that the process should ensure that historical artifacts, be preserved in the process.
Hotel Falcon is located in the former Butare province (now Huye district) – which was considered as the administrative region of the colonial rulers in Rwanda.
The District Mayor, Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka said on January 28th that the renovation and upgrading project on the hotel will be done in consultation with the Institute of National Museums and the current owners of the hotel. He also said that the project timeline will be discussed on a later stage.
The hotel contains a special room that used to be occupied by Rwanda’s King- Mutara III Rudahingwa and other historical artifacts including rooms that used to be occupied by the Belgian royal families.
The council meeting said that while it is necessary to revamp the hotel among other old fashioned building that are mostly seen in Huye district, the historical aspects and features of the hotel should be maintained.
Residents say that Faucon Hotel used to be the most prestigious and perfect spot for the high class citizens and local leaders (who were known as chefs) between the 50’s and 60’s.
Yohani Batista Sebukangaga, who is now in his early 70’s, says that this hotel is considered to be the symbol of the region and it was also a place where the King of Burundi (King Mwambutsa) used to be hosted while on his visit to Rwanda.
Faucon Hotel is believed to have been constructed in 1943, and it belonged to a Belgian called Faucon. The hotel was set ablaze and rehabilitated in 1962 and sold to local entrepreneurs.
 

Imva y’urwibutso rwa Nyundo rwangijwe n’amazi bituma imibiri yimurwa

Abadepite bagize komisiyo y’ubumwe bw’abanyarwanda, uburenganzira bwa muntu no kurwanya Jenoside mu nteko ishinga amategeko bashimye imishyikirano hagati y’akarere ka Rubavu na Diocese ya Nyundo kuhagomba kwimurirwa urwibutso rwa Nyundo nyuma y’uko urwari rushyinguwemo imiri y’inzirakarengane z’abatutsi bazize jenoside yabaye muri Mata 1994 rwangijwe n’amazi yatewe n’ibiza.

Nyuma yo kwangizwa n’amazi imibiri yari muri izi mva yabaye yimuriwe kuri Diocese kugira ngo harebwe ahandi hakubakwa urwibutso rutangizwa n’ibiza rwashyingurwamo iyi mibiri, Diocese ya Nyundo ikaba yaremeye gutanga ahantu hakubakwa urwibutso nubwo ubuyobozi bwa Ibuka mu karere ka Rubavu bugaragaza impungenge z’uko kuhubaka bizagorana.

abagize komisiyo y’ubumwe bw’abanyarwanda, uburenganzira bwa muntu no kurwanya Jenoside mu nteko ishinga amategeko banasuye ikiyaga cya kivu na hotel serena basobanurirwa amakuru yavugwaga ko hari imibiri y’abazize jenoside muri iyi hotel yari igihe kubakirwaho, bakaba bamazwe impungenge na Ibuka ivuga ko ayo makuru atariyo kuko amakuru bafite yagaragaje imibiri ihari.

Kabanda Innocent ukuriye ibuka mu karere ka Rubavu avuga ko imibiri yari ihari hagiye kubakwa itangi (tank) y’amazi kandi ko bashoboye kumvikana n’imibiri igashakishwa ikaboneka.

Urutare rwa kamegeri rufite amateka akomeye mu gihugu

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Ruhango buravuga ko bufite ahantu henshi hagiye hagira amateka, bukaba burimo kuvugana n’inzego zitandukanye kugirango aho hantu hatezwe imbere.

Akarere ka Ruhango gafite ahantu hasaga umunani hagiye hagira amateka akomeye, ahi ni nk’urutare rwa Kamegeri rwamenyekanye cyane, kwa Mirenga ku Ntenyo, ikirenge cya Ruganzu kiri mu murenge wa Kabagari, mu kagari ka Gisari ahitwa kwa mwungeri wa Nyankaka, amasenga y’impyisi n’ahandi.

Mutunzi Antoine ashinzwe amakoperative mu karere ka Ruhango, avuga ko ubu barimo kuvugana n’ikigo cy’igihugu gishinzwe iterambere RDB, kugirango hashakishwe uko aha hantu hatezwa imbere kugirango abakerarugendo bajye bahasura mbere y’uko bajya ahandi.

Yagize ati “ urabona, aha turi mu nzira abakerarugendo banyuramo bajya gusura ahantu nyaburanga muri Nyungwe, niyo mpamvu dushaka ko mbere y’uko bagera hariya, bajya babanza bagusura ahantu nk’aha akarere kakagira icyo kinjiza.

Mutunzi avuga ko imishyikirano hagati y’akarere na RDB igeze kure bakaba bitegura kureba uburyo aha hantu hatezwa imbere. Akavuga ko bizera neza ko ibi bikorwa nibiramuka birangiye, bizagirira akamoro Leta ndetse n’abaturage batuye hafi yaho.

The post Ruhango: Ahantu hari amateka harateganywa kubyazwa umusaruro appeared first on Sights Of Rwanda.

The richness of a country’s history and heritage are very important aspects that create an identity for people of any nation in the world. Rwanda has a rich history that dates back to the Kingdoms, colonial and post colonial times; which has for long not been explored to attract local and foreign tourism, bring in revenue and create awareness on the culture of the Rwandan people.

Unlike in some countries where historical sites and heritages have been central aspect of cultural tourism, Rwanda has not been privileged to do likewise due to many aspects.

Thus since 2007, the government of Rwanda decided to refocus on the importance of museums and heritage sites by establishing the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) as a way of restoring these historical values and aspects, which the colonial rule struggled to destroy Rwanda so as to have an upper hand on the people of Rwanda.

According to Mr. Alphonse Umuliisa, the Director of INMR, the revival of the museums is intended to revive this rich past as a way of promoting tourism, a sense of identity, and create awareness of who Rwandans actually are, and to have fun.

The new strategy and agenda of the INMR shows that there are so far signs of progress to attain this goal. So far the number of museums in Rwanda has increased from one to six museums, and the heritages sites (which were literally forgotten) have been revived to over 80 sites (from 24 sites) across the country.

Umuliisa says that this setback is mainly attributed to the colonial rule which, for political purposes didn’t open these aspects to the people of Rwanda and thus a loss of identity. The other aspect is that cultural tourism was and especially museum were considered a western aspect meant for the colonialists and the local only hardly ever visited such sites, even though it was for free.

Today, Umuliisa believes that this trend is changing and the numbers of local and foreign tourists interested in knowing the history, having fun and exploring Rwanda’s past and heritage has increased (tripled from 22.000 in 2009 to 26.000 in 2011 and 40.000 in 2012) due to the emphasis on promoting cultural tourism and reviving some of the ‘lost’ heritages sites across the country.

Before 2007 there was only one museum in Rwanda- this was called the national museum of Rwanda- located in former Butare province (a then Colonial capital) which is now Huye district in the southern province of Rwanda. However, the number of museums has grown from one in 2007 to six museums in 2013.

These include- the Ethnographic museum in Huye, King’s Palace Museum-Rukari in Nyanza, National Art Gallery-Rwesero in Nyanza, Natural History Museum –Kandt House in Kigali, Presidential Palace-Kanombe in Kigali, and the Environmental Museum in Karongi.

Specialty of each museum today

Ethnographic museum (former National Museum of Rwanda)

The former national museum of Rwanda has been turned into the Ethnographic museum- Inaugurated on September 18th 1989 and located in Huye, Not until 2007, the National Museum of Rwanda (most well-known museum in Rwanda) was the only Museum in the country. This museum houses perhaps the finest ethnographic and archaeological collections in East Africa with more than 10,000 artefacts. Absorbing displays of traditional artefacts are illuminated by a fascinating selection of turn-of-the-century monochrome photographs, providing insight not only into pre-colonial lifestyles, but also into the subsequent development of Rwanda as a modern African state.

According to Alphonse Umuliisa, the Director of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR), this is intended to tell the social and cultural aspects of Rwanda. This is where you find the famous aspects of culture of cows which is told through the Inyamibwa cows.

Umuliisa, whose PHD thesis dissertation was on the history of Rwanda, cautions that this word (Inyamibwa) shouldn’t be translated at all to keep the original essence of the word. When I refused to translate this word in my dissertation, I lost a few marks for that. But the reality is that some words cannot be put in any other language. This is why there is a promotion project called

But literally the Inyamibwa are a symbol of Rwanda’s heritage and pride- these are long horned cows which are not used for meat or any other purpose but for the special events- like marriage gifts, wedding bride price; for the welcome of the king and other special occasions only.

Under the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga in 1899, Nyanza became the royal capital
of the country. The court became the home of the artistic and intellectual activities and was also a place for economic exchange. Today, a replica of the traditional Royal Palace sits at Rukari. The impressive, enormous domed structure is made entirely with traditional materials, has been painstakingly restored to its 19th century state and is now maintained as a museum.

National Arts Museum-Rwesero

Located across the valley from the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History and the
Nyanza Royal Palace, the Rwesero Arts Museum displays contemporary artwork which testifies to the originality of Rwandan creativity, while not overlooking either tradition or national history. The pieces show the originality of Rwandan creativity and its rich history.

The museum was originally built as a Palace for King Mutara III Rudahingwa but he passed away before occupying it.

The Museum of Rwandan Ancient History

This one was once the residence of King Mutara III Rudahingwa, this museum also sits at Rukari near to the Royal Palace. This Palace has been restored and offers a glimpse into Rwandan life as it once was. On the neighboring hill of Mwima, King Mutara III and his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda are buried.

A traditional house, a thatched hut, was erected at the Ancient History Museum. It is an imitation of the King’s palace. In ancient times, thatched houses were typical for African homesteads.

The King’s palace differed from a regular homestead.  His house had three separate poles on which the roof rests while houses for the common people had only one. There were no doors in the huts. But no one would enter without announcing their arrival.

When the Belgians colonial masters arrived in Rwanda, they changed the traditional lifestyle of the Kings. A modern palace was constructed for King Mutara III Rudahingwa which is now the museum that displays Rwandan history from the 15th Century.

Both the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History and the Rwesero Arts Museum are located 2km outside Nyanza town in the southern Province. It is very important to note that Nyanza district is considered a historical area since it still holds these heritages that actually speak to the people of Rwanda.

Another most prominent aspect of the Rwandan culture is the Cow and Milk- which are very powerful symbols of the culture of Rwandans.

“The cows were treasured by the people. There was a special selection of the ones that would be brought to the royal palace.  People used to sing to them. The cows were decorated with beads before parading them before the King,” explains Ines Umulisa a tourist guide at Ancient History Museum.

The Museum of Natural History

This museum is located in Nyarugenge district, in heart of Kigali City. It is commonly known as ‘Kandt house’ – because it was a residence once occupied by German scientist, Dr. Richard Kandt. The house has been turned into the Museum of Natural History. A scientist by profession, Richard Kandt was the first German Imperial resident in Rwanda and this museum is homage to his work. The Germany government handover the site and its artifacts to the government of Rwanda, this January 2013

In the pipeline:

More museums are due to be officially launched in Rwanda. These include: Presidential Palace-Kanombe in Kigali, the Environmental Museum in Karongi and the Liberation.

On 17^th December 2012, President Paul Kagame laid the foundation stone for the proposed Liberation Museum in Kaniga Cell, in Gicumbi District (previously called Mulindi- historic camp spot for the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) forces which were led by Late Fred Rwigema and President Paul Kagame respectively, during the liberation struggle that ousted the then government of late Juvenal Habyarimana- whose government is held responsible for killing close to one million Rwandans during the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

The Environmental Museum is due to be opened in former Kibuye Province (now Karongi district). According to the INMR director, the museum will be the first of its kind and it will share some of the historical fossils of reptiles from neighboring countries such as Burundi, so as to attract more regional tourism.

While the Presidential Palace-Kanombe in Kigali is attributed to the former presidents of rwanda. This site was formerly occupied as a residence for Juvenal Habyarimana and Pasteur Bizimungu. This is also one of the visited sites and it is to be revamped so as to attract more tourists who are interested in witnessing how these former presidents lived amidst poverty in the community.

Others projects include the King’s swearing spot in the Northern Province and the National Harvest Day, and the Irembo Ritahibwa Inyamibwa (literally meaning the Inyamibwa Cow ceremony) among others.

The Director of INMR says that though the museum project depends largely on the government funding with an annual budget of Rwf1.3billions, cultural tourism can regenerate money in africa and especially in Rwanda.

Today, museums are tourist attractions which are supposed to bring in revenue for the country. The charges for visiting the Ancient History Museums are Rwf200 for Rwandan students and Rwf500 for adults (this applies for neigboruing countries). Then resident foreigners pay Rwf3000 while non–residents pay Rwf6000 and foreign students pay Rwf1000.

Apparently, in Rwanda, you cannot talk about its history of Rwanda without talking about the genocide that was perpetrated against the Tutsi in various periods of 1959, 1960’s and the climax of it all in 1994.

This has become essential history for the people of Rwanda and by reflecting and keeping memory of what happened then, and its impact to people who were once united, has become part of Rwanda’s heritage (documented at Gisozi memorial site) of building unity and reconciliation in the post genocide era, which has also been central in the witness of rapid growth and development of a country once torn by divisions.

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 Intumwa  ziturutse mu Ntara ya Rhenanie –Palatinat mu gihugu cy’Ubudage zasuye ingoro y’umwami Mutara wa III Rudahingwa muri gahunda yo  kumenya uko abami b’u Rwanda rwo hambere babagaho ndetse n’imwe mu mico yagiye ibaranga.

Icyo gikorwa cyo gusura ingoro y’umwami Mutara wa III Rudahigwa cyakozwe tariki 11/02/2013 aho basuye ibice bitandukanye byayo birimo aho umwami yabaga ndetse naho bamuteguriraga inzoga.

Nyuma yo gutambagizwa ibice binyuranye by’ingoro yo mu Rukali bagaragaje ko bishimiye urwo ruzinduko bahagiriye rwabagaragarije byinshi ku mateka y’u Rwanda dore ko abenshi muri bo bwari ubwa mbere bageze mu Rwanda.

REINER Meutsch wari uyoboye bagenzi be muri urwo rugendo  yanditse mu gitabo cy’abashyitsi ko banejejwe n’uruzinduko bagiriye aho umwami Mutara wa III Rudahigwa yabaye ndetse akaba akihafite n’amateka akomeye.

Yanditse agira ati : «  Twishimiye uruzinduko twakoze ndetse n’uburyo twakiwemo n’abanyarwanda byerekana ko bakirana urugwiro ababagana »

Izi ntumwa ziturutse mu Ntara ya Rhenanie Palatinat zageze mu Rwanda tariki 09/02/2013 mu rwego rwo  gukorera urugendo hirya no hino mu gihugu  muri gahunda yo gusura ibikorwa bitandukanye birimo ibigo by’amashuli byagiye byubakwa binyuze mu mubano n’ubucuti igihugu cyabo gifitanye n’u Rwanda.

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