New COVID-19 Funding Continues Strong U.S. Government Support

U.S. EMBASSY KIGALI PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION April 24, 2020 Kigali, Rwanda New Funding Continues Strong U.S. Government Support of Rwanda’s COVID-19 Response  The U.S. Embassy in Kigali announced today more than four million U.S. dollars in additional emergency funding for Rwanda’s COVID-19 response. These donations continue the U.S. government’s strong support of Rwanda’s public health sector and will expand …

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Ambassador Vrooman’s Remarks on Release of RPHIA Data

Remarks for Ambassador Peter Vrooman Rwanda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (RPHIA) Release Event Tuesday, October 22, 2019  « as prepared for delivery » Good afternoon. We are at a historic moment in the global HIV/AIDS response, reaching the last few miles on the road towards epidemic control. Rwanda is a global leader in the fight …

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Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman Remarks at the PEPFAR 15th Anniversary Film Event

Good afternoon! Mwiriwe! I would like to thank the Réseau Rwandais des Personnes Vivant avec le VIH/SIDA (RPP+) and its chairperson, Sylvie Muneza, as well as Her Excellency Minister of Health, Diane Gashumba, and the Mayor of Nyarugenge, Kayisime Nzaramba, and others here.  Together, all of us will be able to fight discrimination and stigma, …

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Inclusive education speech by Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman

Nyakubahwa Minisitiri na mwe mwese muri hano, Honorable Minister and others gathered here Mwaramutse. Good Morning. I am delighted to be here this morning to recognize your commitment to promoting the rights of people with disabilities and to improving learning for every child in Rwanda.  As the Minister just observed: “Disability does not mean inability.” …

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Ambassador Peter Vrooman Remarks at NCPD International Disability Day Event

Nyakubahwa Minisitiri w’Ubutegetsi bw’Igihugu Muyobozi w’Inama y’igihugu y’abafite ubumuga (NCPD) Bayobozi b’amashyirahamwe y’abafite ubumuga Banyacyubahiro muteraniye hano All protocols observed. Miriwe, Ngendeye ku nsanganyamatsiko y’uyu munsi ariyo “ ariyo, “Kuremera abafite Ubumuga, Kutabaheza no Kubaha Amahirwe nk’ay’abandi” [In keeping with the theme of this event, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality”,] Uyu …

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Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman Speech for Ministry of Health World AIDS Day Event in Musanze, Rwanda

Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba Governor of the Northern Province, Honorable Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, Dr. Jeanine Condo Banyacyubahiro muteraniye hano, Mwaramutse!  Today as we celebrate World AIDS Day, I can say with confidence and pride that by working together we have the ability to control …

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Ambassador Vrooman Launches USAID “Ingobyi” Activity Supporting Maternal and Child Health

I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the USAID -funded Maternal and Child Survival Program, and the launch of our new Ingobyi activity. We’ve already heard from both of these important projects about their achievements and goals toward making sure that babies and mothers across Rwanda are treated with the …

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Ambassador Vrooman Remarks at the Launch of USAID’s Feed the Future “Nguriza Nshore” Activity

Ambassador Vrooman Remarks at the Launch of USAID’s Feed the Future “Nguriza Nshore” Activity September 20, 2018 Kigali Convention Center Thank you for joining me this morning in launching the U.S. government’s new Feed the Future Nguriza Nshore activity. Our Feed the Future program has promoted agricultural-led economic growth in Rwanda over the past five …

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Ambassador Vrooman Closes Two-Week-Long Shared Accord 2018 Command Post Exercise

The U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter Vrooman, was the guest of honor August 28 at the closing ceremony of Shared Accord 2018 at the Rwandan Military Academy in Gako, Rwanda. Ambassador Vrooman was joined by the Rwandan Defence Forces Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli, who presided over the closing ceremony of the …

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Remarks by Ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles at MindLeaps Girls Lead Performance

Mwiriwe! Good Afternoon! Thank you, ladies, for your beautiful and moving performances and speeches. Let’s give them another round of applause. And thank you Sifa, Solange, and Hasha for sharing with us your remarkable testimonies. Your ability to overcome the difficulties you have faced, and how you found hope and the resilience to reach for …

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World AIDS Day: Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships

Op-Ed By Erica Barks-Ruggles, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda. In celebration of World AIDS Day, I can say with confidence and pride that by working together we have the ability to control the HIV epidemic in Rwanda by 2020. This last mile, however, is going to take even greater leadership, unwavering commitment, and our collective focus …

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Opening Remarks for Ambassador Barks-Ruggles; World AIDS Day Journalist Briefing

Mwaramutse.  Good morning.  I’d like to start by thanking all of you for joining us here today as we gear up to recognize World AIDS Day on December 1st.  I am always happy to talk about the great partnership the U.S. Embassy has with Rwanda to end the HIV epidemic; particularly our work with the …

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U.S. Government Contributes 42 million RWF for Emergency Rain Damage Relief

On September 30th, 2017, the United States Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles authorized over 42 million RWF for immediate emergency response to destruction caused by September’s heavy rain storms. The relief funds will aid families whose needs were identified by the Government of Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR). The aid was …

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Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles Independence Day Speech

Good evening – Mwiriwe! Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the 241st anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.   I want to especially thank our guest of honor, The Honorable Minister Francois Kanimba for joining us in our celebrations this evening. Minister of Trade and East African Affairs, Hon. …

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U.S. Ambassador hosted an interfaith Iftar to observe Ramadan

On June 6, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles,  hosted an interfaith Iftar to observe Ramadan and honor the Muslim community in Rwanda. Around 120 guests representing prominent members of the Muslim community, other religious, government, and civil society leaders, and Embassy staff responded to the invitation. Deputy Mufti Sheikh Swaleh Nshimiyimana was the …

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U.S. Embassy in Kigali Remembers 26 Employees

Employees of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali held a memorial ceremony to honor 26 Mission employees who lost their lives during the genocide. Over 200 people participated in the event, including employees from the U.S. Department of State, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Defense and …

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U.S. Embassy Honors Three Rwandan Women of Courage

On March 22, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles honored three Rwandan women at an event held at her residence to celebrate Women’s History Month.  The three women, selected from nominations submitted by U.S. Embassy Kigali’s 40,085 Facebook fans, were recognized with the Embassy’s third annual Rwandan Women of Courage awards for their exceptional …

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Handover ceremony of the AMEP Medical Modeling and Simulation Project

Ambassador Barks-Ruggles, Erica’ speech on the Handover ceremony of the Africa Military Education Program (AMEP) Medical Modeling and Simulation Project. Tuesday, February 7th, 2016 Rwanda Military Hospital, Kanombe ———————————————- Good morning!  All protocols observed.  Thank you for making this Medical Modeling and Simulation (MMS) center a huge success.  This project represents our strong partnership in supporting peacekeeping.  …

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Recognizing Rwandan Women of Courage

Announcement:  International Women’s Day is approaching and the U.S. Embassy wants to hear about your heroes! Please send us a Facebook message or e-mail to KigaliPublicAffairs@state.gov by February 28 telling us about a Rwandan woman who inspires you by her courage and commitment to make her community a better place.  She could be a teacher, doctor, …

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Agriculture Land Information System Launch

Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles speech at the Agriculture Land Information System Launch October 11, 2016, 1:30-3:10 PM Hotel des Milles Collines, Kigali, Rwanda Honorable Minister of State in Charge of Agriculture, Fulgence Nsengiyumva, CEO of Rwanda Agriculture Board, Bill Kayonga, CEO of Private Sector Federation, Mr. Stephen Ruzibiza, Acting Head of Investment Promotion for the …

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Ambassador’s Remarks for the Special Self Help Fund Grant Signing

Good afternoon. Thank you for joining me here today for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund Grant Signing Ceremony .  I want to thank Mr. Apollo Munanura, Director General for the Rwanda Cooperative Agency for being here today.  I am excited to join with you as we welcome nine (9) new cooperatives to the list of 171 Self-Help grant recipients since 1999.  These …

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5th Annual “Everybody Reads Rwanda” Campaign

The U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Launches the 5th Annual “Everybody Reads Rwanda” Initiative   On September 15, 2016, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles launched the Embassy’s 5th Annual Everybody Reads Rwanda Campaign.  On hand for the campaign launch was Ministry of Education Director of Cross-Cutting Programs Sylvie Uwimbabazi, U.S. Embassy officials, educators, civil society …

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New Peace Corps Volunteers Sworn In for Rwanda’s First 1000 Days Initiative

Kigali – U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles swore in 26 new Peace Corps Volunteers today at her residence in Kacyiru. These Volunteers will work in Rwanda’s health sector,  becoming part of the Rwandan Government’sFirst 1000 Days Initiative.  Following today’s ceremony, the Volunteers will travel outside of Kigali to the villages and health centers in …

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Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles Independence Day Speech, July 8, 2016

Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Janine Kambanda– thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.  Thank you also to all the other members of the Rwandan government in attendance tonight: Minister of Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba Minister of State in the Ministry of …

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Ambassador’s Remarks on the Inauguration Ceremony for Kivuwatt Power Plant

Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Honorable Minister of Infrastructure James Musoni; President and CEO of ContourGlobal Joseph Brandt; Country Director of ContourGlobal Jarmo Gummerus Governor of Western Province Caritas Mukandasira Mayor of Karongi District Francois Ndayisaba Local Officials, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols Observed. I am very honored …

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Ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles Remarks for the 22nd Genocide Commemoration at the U.S. Embassy

Mwiriwe (Good Afternoon). Director General of the Research and Documentation Center on the Genocide at the National Commission for the Fight against the Genocide, Dr. Jean Damascene Gasanabo, Representative of the Ibuka Association, Second Vice President Freddy Mutanguha, Survivor orphans, Widows, Relatives, Friends of our fallen colleagues, U.S. Embassy colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen I am …

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U.S. Ambassador’s Remarks at the Inauguration Ceremony for Culligan International’s Nzove Water Treatment Plant

Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Honorable Minister of Finance Ambassador Claver Gatete Honorable Minister of Infrastructure James Musoni WASAC CEO James Sano Culligan East Africa and Central Asia (EACA) CEO Beyhan Nakiboglu and Senior Vice President Laurence Bower Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols Observed. I am very honored …

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U.S. Ambassador Honors Rwandan Women of Courage on International Women’s Day

U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles honored three Rwandan women today at a tea held at the U.S. Embassy to celebrate International Women’s Day.  The women were chosen from nominations submitted by U.S. Embassy Kigali’s 33,000 Facebook fans to receive the Embassy’s 2016 Rwandan Women of Courage award for their inspiring example of leadership …

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Statement by Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles on U.S. Independence Day

Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles Independence Day Speech, July 9, 2015 Minister Mushikiwabo – thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. Honorable Ministers, Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, other colleagues from the Government of Rwanda, fellow members of the diplomatic corps, leaders …

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