Rwanda in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is set to put in place a Center of Excellence in weather, climate modelling, prediction and data sharing.

The discussions between minister of environment, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya and Prof. Celeste Saulo, the incoming Secretary General of WMO were held on the sidelines of the climate research conference that closed on Friday, October 27 in Kigali.

The conference focused on three themes, namely; advances in climate research, climate services and solutions, and human interactions with climate.

The centre of excellence in weather forecast expected in Rwanda could be the effective pathway to early warning for all and could benefit not only Rwanda but the entire EAC region as well as meteoroidal science advancement.

Information The New Times obtained from the Ministry of Environment explains a set of eight benefits from the anticipated centre of excellence.

Disaster preparedness

“With a dedicated center, Rwanda can significantly enhance its ability to monitor, forecast, and respond to climate-related natural hazards. This would reduce the loss of life and property during floods, droughts, storms, and other extreme events, thus increasing overall resilience,” reads part of the concept note shared with The New Times.

The CentRE of Excellence can provide the country with more accurate and timely weather forecasts and early warning systems.

Rwanda’s development pathway is threatened by recurring climate-related natural hazards, including floods, droughts, earthquakes, storms, and lightning.

Over the last decade, the frequency and intensity of hazards have increased.

These changing conditions are expected to negatively affect agricultural productivity, food availability, water resources, human health, ecosystems, and energy production and use.

Enhanced agricultural productivity

Accurate weather and climate modeling can provide farmers with vital information for crop planning, planting, and harvesting.

This can optimize agricultural productivity, increase food availability, and contribute to food security.

Sustainable water resource management

By predicting precipitation patterns, droughts, and floods, Rwanda can better plan and manage its water resources, reducing the risk of water scarcity and ensuring a stable supply for agriculture and human consumption.

This helps in reducing water scarcity and mitigating the impacts of water-related hazards.

Public health benefits

Weather and climate have a significant impact on public health. By understanding and predicting climate-related diseases (like malaria or waterborne diseases), Rwanda can develop strategies for prevention and management.

Additionally, extreme weather events can affect the spread of diseases and access to healthcare facilities. Improved forecasting can help in planning for such eventualities.

This would help in the prevention and management of diseases, as well as more effective responses to health crises caused by weather-related events.

Energy Security

Energy production, particularly hydropower, is susceptible to weather conditions. Accurate weather and climate models can aid in predicting energy generation from renewable sources and optimizing energy distribution, reducing disruptions in the power supply and enhancing energy security.

Economic growth and diversification

Investing in a Center of Excellence for weather and climate modeling not only helps in climate adaptation but can also open opportunities for economic diversification.

Rwanda can become a regional hub for climate research, providing consultancy services and training to neighbouring countries facing similar climate challenges.

This can generate revenue and enhance the country's expertise in climate science contributing to economic growth.

Resilience to climate change

With climate-related hazards intensifying, a Center of Excellence would help Rwanda adapt to climate change by providing essential data and tools for long-term planning and adaptation strategies.

Rwanda can better understand and anticipate extreme weather events, enabling proactive measures to reduce their impact on agriculture, water resources, human health, and ecosystems.

International Collaboration

Such a center can foster international collaboration and partnerships. Rwanda can work with global organizations, research institutions, and countries with expertise in climate science.

This collaboration can lead to knowledge transfer, access to data and technology, and financial support for climate-related initiatives strengthening Rwanda's position in the international climate community. - Michel Nkurunziza, The New Times

Stung by mounting public criticism of his many tours abroad, President William Ruto has now said his administration has cut foreign travel budget by Sh11 billion.

Ruto said public servants will not be allowed to attend workshops abroad.

“We have cut travel budget by Sh11 billion in all ministries or departments and not the Sh50 million reported by the press. There will be no foreign conferences, workshops, and bench-marking for public servants,” said Ruto.

The Head of State said he will only allow foreign trips that will help unlock investments and opportunities for Kenyans.  

President Ruto spoke Friday at the Moi Stadium in Taita Taveta after opening the Voi Gemstone Value Addition and Marketing Centre.

The gemstone project constructed at the cost of Sh100 million will help local miners add value to their gemstones and end massive exploitation from middlemen, he said.

“Public servants who want to go shopping outside the country should use their own resources and not public funds. I will allow foreign trips that will add value to Kenyans,” Dr Ruto maintained. 

At the same time, the President ordered miners who have not renewed their licences to do so immediately before the government catches up with them.

He disclosed that there are about 1,400 illegal miners who will face the law if they fail to work within the law. By Renson Mnyamwezi, The Standard

Makerere University teaching staff have roundly rejected the biometric staff attendance management system meant to record their clock-in times.

The resolution was passed during an emergency general assembly held on October 20 by the lecturers under their umbrella organization, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa). The university recently decided to procure and deploy a biometric staff management system to enhance staff compliance with time and attendance requirements. 

According to the university secretary Yusuf Kiranda, this biometric system is intended to be linked to the human capital management (HCM) attendance module and will be implemented as a physical clock-in system across the university, where each staff member would have to clock in at their respective duty stations.

In an October 12, 2023 letter, addressed to all members of staff and the university council, Kiranda explained that the government is implementing an integrated HCM system to automate human resource management functions in the public service. A university council special meeting on March 9, 2023, resolved to procure and deploy a biometric staff management system to improve staff adherence to time and attendance of duty.

However, in an October 20 letter to the university council chairperson, signed by Dr Robert Kakuru, Muasa chairperson and general secretary, Christine Mpyangu Mbabazi, Muasa members expressed their rejection of the implementation of the biometric attendance management system. They firmly believe that there should be more competitive and consultative methods for monitoring academic staff performance and productivity.

The letter goes on to highlight that the introduction of the biometric system lacked adequate consultation and stakeholder engagement. It is the opinion of the staff that this system will severely undermine their ability to deliver the mandate of the university. 

"Members further believe the biometric system is unacademic and a non-starter. The substantial financial investment in this system should be reallocated to retool staff for executing their mandate," reads part of the letter.

"The university's programs and interventions are guided by well-thought policies adopted after extensive consultation with all stakeholders. Unfortunately, this biometric system is being rushed into implementation without adequate consultations and without a clear university policy," states another part of the letter.

Academic staff further argue that the biometric attendance management system primarily focuses on monitoring staff attendance between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, the assessment of academic staff performance should consider outputs such as teaching, research, publications, community service, assessments, and networking for research and grants, rather than merely physical presence in the office between 8:00 to 5:00 pm. 

Muasa says that the forceful implementation of the biometric system is considered regressive and may lead to a brain drain, potentially resulting in numerous staff resignations. The university's focus, they argue, should be on staff productivity in terms of outputs, rather than physical presence. By URN, The Observer