Statement on Cabinet Decisions

The Cabinet Meeting was satisfied with the successful organization of Rwanda Day held at Amsterdam, in Netherlands, on 3rd October 2015. It was attended by about five thousand people, which is the highest turnout of all the Rwanda Days organized so far.

1. The Cabinet Meeting approved its earlier decisions of 09 September 2015, after minor adjustments.

2. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed about the Government of Rwanda consolidated financial statements for financial year ended 30th June 2015, the Cabinet Meeting approved it.

3. The Cabinet Meeting approved the revised subsidy scheme for seed, new fertilizers and liming programme.

4. The Cabinet Meeting approved the National Water Resources Master Plan.

5. The Cabinet Meeting approved new applications for Mineral and Quarry licenses.

6. The Cabinet Meeting approved the agreement between the Government of Rwanda and Rwanda Mountain Tea relating to the management of 323ha of state forest located in Rutsiro and Ngororero Districts.

7. The Cabinet Meeting approved the establishment of a holding company dealing in aviation, travel and logistics services (ATL Ltd), bundling Air Transport Products and Services in Rwanda.

8. The Cabinet Meeting approved that Symbion Power LLC invests in the 50MW methane power project.

9. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following Draft Laws:

• Draft Law modifying and complementing the Law nº 55/2007 of 30/11/2007 governing the Central Bank of Rwanda;
• Draft Law Governing Results-Based Performance Management in the Public Service;

10.The Cabinet Meeting approved the following Orders:

• Presidential Order determining salaries and other benefits for Commissioners of the Support Commission to Parliament for the Review of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04th June, 2003 as amended to date;
• Prime Minister’s Order determining organization structure, salaries and fringe benefits for employees of the National Itorero Commission (NIC);
• Prime Minister’s Order establishing criteria and modalities of determination of allowances of Public Servants;
• Prime Minister’s Order granting a deliberate resignation from public servants to Mr. RUSERA Sandy, who was Director of Capital Market and Investment Schemes Unit in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN);
• Prime Minister’s Order granting a leave of absence for non-specific period to Mr. MUGISHA Fred, who was Director of Policy, Research and Planning Unit in Higher Education Council (HEC);
• Ministerial Order determining the modalities for the special treatment in education of persons with disabilities;
• Ministerial Order on the preservation, collection, transport and selling of milk.

11. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following Instructions:

• Ministerial Instructions determining allowance for Technical and Support Staff of the Support Commission to Parliament for the Review of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04th June, 2003 as amended to date;
• Ministerial Instructions determining types, size limits and modalities for exporting mineral ore samples;
• Ministerial Instructions on State quarries;
• Ministerial Instructions establishing the prize of excellence for best performing learners in Science and Technology;
• Ministerial Instructions determining responsibilities of members of the mobilization committee of the community-based health insurance scheme, the organ responsible for the organization of their election and procedures for election.

12. The Cabinet Meeting made the following appointments:

* In Parliament /Senate

• Mr. KABANDANA Maurice: Director of Outreach and Documentation Unit.

* In Ministry of Youth and ICT/MYICT

• Mr. KALEMA Gordon: Principal Senior Technologist in Charge of eGovernment Services Coordination
• Ms. NYIRANZEYIMANA Josephine: Principal Senior Technologist in Charge of Private Sector Development

* In MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL RESOURCES/MINAGRI

• Mr. NDORIMANA Jean Claude: Advisor to the Minister.

* In Higher Education Council/HEC

• Ms. MICOMYIZA NTUKANYAGWE Michelle: Head of Planning, Research & Strategies

* In National Commission for Human Rights

• Mr. KAREMERA Pierre: Vice President
• Mr. GATERA Emmanuel: Commissioner

* In RWANDA ELDERS ADVISORY FORUM /REAF

• Mrs. BAHOZA Sifa: Director of Administration and Finance Unit.

* In RWANDA GOVERNANCE BOARD /RGB

• Mr. BARIHUTA HABA Aimé: Director of Political Parties and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) Unit.
•  Mr. KABEERA Paul: Director of Administration and Finance Unit.

* In RWANDA STANDARDS BORD/RSB

• Mr. HABIMANA Emmanuel: Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.

* In RWANDA NATURAL RESOURCES AUTHORITY /RNRA

• Mr. MURASA Alphonse: Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.

13. In AoBs:

a) The Minister in the Office of The President informed the Cabinet that the 8th National Unity and Reconciliation week will be launched on 31st October 2015 and be concluded on 6th November 2015. This year’s theme is “Abarinzi b’Igihango mu Mujishi wa Ndi Umunyarwanda”.The major activities during this week include: Recognition of Abarinzi b’Igihango at District, Sector and Cell levels; encouraging the population to actively participate in all activities promoting Unity and reconciliation and debate on achievements and challenges of “Ndi Umunyarwanda” Programme. Leaders at national level together with Ndi Umunyarwanda and unity and reconciliation mentors will be engaged in dialogues and help the community to overcome the challenges hindering unity and reconciliation.

b) The CEO/RDB and Cabinet Member informed the Cabinet Meeting of the upcoming “Transform Africa 2015 Summit” scheduled for 19th -21st October 2015 at Kigali Serena Hotel and Camp Kigali Conference Village. This summit is a biennial event that brings together Africa’s ICT industry leaders to shape the continent’s digital transformation agenda. The theme of the Summit is “Accelerating Digital Innovations”.

c) The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources informed the Cabinet Meeting that the World Food Day will be celebrated on the 22nd October 2015 in Gakenke District, Busango Sector, Mwumba Cell where the main activity will be the construction of radical terraces. This year’s World Food Day theme is “Social Protection and Agriculture, breaking the cycle of rural poverty”.

d) The Minister of Natural Resources informed the Cabinet Meeting of the progress made in preparation for the 2015/2016 Forest Planting Season. The theme for this year is “Efficient use of Biomass Energy to safeguard the Forests”. The Season launch is planned on 28/11/2015 in Gatsibo District, Kiziguro sector.

e) The Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs informed the Cabinet that on 2nd October 2015 she attended a Ministerial meeting convened at the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva to discuss the state of the implementation of the Comprehensive Solutions Strategy for Rwandan Refugees, to review key issues and the way forward in bringing the strategy to its closure. Participants in the meeting resolved to bring to an end the situation of Rwandan refugees falling in the scope of the cessation clause as soon as possible but not later than 31st December 2017. It was also agreed that returns organized in collaboration with UNHCR shall come to an end by 31st December 2016.

f) The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion informed the Cabinet Meeting that:

• MIGEPROF in collaboration with the Rwanda National Police are organizing a National campaign against GBV and child abuse under the theme: “Stop Gender-Based Violence and Child Abuse – Act Now”. The campaign is aimed at sensitizing and enhancing the community’s active role in prevention and response to GBV and child abuse. The campaign will be officially launched on 16th October 2015 in Muhanga District while other simultaneous campaign events will be conducted in Ngoma, Rubavu, Musanze and Gasabo Districts. The National campaign is expected to run from mid-October to December 2015.
• Rwanda will be joining the rest of the World to celebrate the International Rural Women’s Day on 17th October 2015 under the theme: “Empowering Women, Empowering the Community: Make it a practice”. The International Rural Women’s Day will take place at village level and at national level in Gicumbi District, Rushaki Sector of the Northern Province.

g) The Minister of Education informed the Cabinet Meeting that on 23rd October 2015 MINEDUC will receive in Kigali a donation from Booyoung Co Ltd of Korea, composed of 20,000 non-reflective metallic Blackboards and 2,000 digital Pianos estimated to 2,560,000 UD dollar. The equipment shall be distributed in primary schools and will contribute to improving quality of education and promoting musical education. The donation ceremony shall be attended by the Chairman of Booyoung Co Ltd. and his delegation. The ceremony shall involve around 400 participants including 120 primary school students.

This Statement was signed by

Stella Ford MUGABO

The Minister in Charge of Cabinet Affairs