Author: IGIHE

The campaign, which comes in light of the resumed transport services in the majority parts of the country, is meant to reinforce the government directives and recommended safety guidelines against the pandemic.

It focuses mainly on educating people especially in bus stations, markets and other business centres on the recommended safety practices as they go about their errands to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

The official launch was held in the City of Kigali where drivers and passengers in Nyabugogo, Downtown, Remera and Nyanza bus terminals, were enlightened on the safety and preventive practices and urged to respect them to be safe and to save others.

Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, the RNP spokesperson said that the campaign is primarily aimed at changing mindsets and attitudes of drivers and passengers.

“Transport services and all local businesses resumed, but the problem of COVID-19 is still in our midst, so we have gone a step further from social media and other channels we were using during the lockdown, to delivering messages physically to educate the public on how to behave to be safe,” said CP Kabera.

He added: “The campaign is all about influencing positive behaviors and practices to prevent further virus infections. In bus stations, vehicles, markets and other business centres; safety guidelines must be respected. Some movements and journeys could be unnecessary and we urge people to put every aspect into consideration and order of preference before their leave their homes.”

“We request everyone to take ownership of this campaign in the fight against #Covid-19 now that movements have resumed.” CP Kabera added.

He further reminded the public to wear face mask, be at home at 9PM, wash hands regularly with soap and water, avoid unnecessary movements and socializing in groups, and respect for social/physical distancing.

The #RwanyaCovid-19 campaign is primarily aimed at changing mindsets and attitudes of drivers and passengers.

We encourage everybody to be part of this campaign by reporting those who violate the guidelines put in place to prevent the spread COVID-19 on 112 or 0788311155 (also on WhatsApp). The Spokesperson emphasized.

Ziyada Mukandahiro, the Executive Secretary for Nyarugenge sector emphasized the role of local leaders to ensure that all set directives are fully implemented and respected.

“Respecting recommended safety instructions is for everyone’s safety. We are going to double efforts in inspection and supervision to ensure that any violator is punished accordingly,” Mukandahiro said.

Godfrey Nkusi, the manager of RITCO, a local travel agency, said that the directives are clear and that they have to be known and respected by everyone.

Nkusi said that as transporters, they labour to explain these safety measures and to operate in accordance with the directives including controlling and monitoring their drivers, preventing contacts in bus terminals and in vehicles, wearing face masks and washing hands before boarding.

The #INFORAFRICA Alliance aims to respond to the challenges faced by Africa in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign engages with hundreds of opinion leaders, celebrities and influencers to deliver preventive and lifesaving messages across the continent as well as supporting initiatives which fight the disease, create a positive impact on local communities and contribute to achieving resilience against the impact of the disease.

The #INFORAFRICA campaign already has the support of a variety of African influencers including African music legend Awilo Longomba, British-congolese comedian Eddie Kadi, British-Ivoirian superstar Afro B, journalist, activist and author Isha Sesay, Grammy award winning singer Mohombi, Nollywood superstar Destiny Etiko, Ghanaian actor John Dumelo, soccer players Tresor Lualua and Yannick Bolasie.

In addition to the global awareness campaign, #INFORAFRICA aligns with the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO), African governments and their national health authorities to provide accurate information in order to stop the spread of the pandemic on the continent. Funds mobilised will be directed towards reputable agencies such as the United Nations Foundation Solidarity Response Fund and the Africa Union Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT). These funds will be used to support frontline efforts such as purchase ventilators, testing, personal protective equipment and hygiene kits (soaps, hydro-alcoholic gels, disinfectants).

Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Eddie Kadi, said: “As the virus spreads away from African capitals, #INFORAFRICA, this unique continent-wide campaign, the first of its kind, will help amplify crucial life-saving messages to stop the pandemic across Africa. In such unprecedented times, artists and influencers must do their part and come together as a community to deliver messages of hope and unity to the very people who supported them during the course of their journey”.

As a prominent media platform in Africa, StarTimes has put a lot of efforts into raising awareness on the outbreak. It will keep doing so by disseminating the #INFORAFRICA influencer messages so their voices can reach more people on the continent, beyond African capitals.

StarTimes Vice-President Luis Lu said: “Today is a special day for Africa, even more special this year as the world is going through an unprecedented crisis. As the coronavirus is still threatening the continent, StarTimes is honored to join the #INFORAFRICA Alliance to bring people together and help them keep safe.”

ABOUT THE #INFORAFRICA CAMPAIGN

The #INFORAFRICA Alliance against the coronavirus aims to respond to the challenges faced by Africa in tackling the pandemic. The campaign will engage with hundreds of opinion leaders, celebrities and influencers to deliver preventive and lifesaving messages across the continent as well as supporting initiatives which fight the disease, create a positive impact on local communities and contribute to achieving resilience.

ABOUT STARTIMES

StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving 13 million DVB subscribers and 20 million OTT users in 30+ countries. StarTimes owns a 600+ channels’ content platform combining African local channels (75%) and international channels (25%, including Chinese channels 1.5%). The company’s vision is “To ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV”.
www.startimestv.com

Munderere was arrested in Rubavu Sector, Rukoko Cell due to information provided by residents.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the police spokesperson for the Western region said that they got information that the suspect was looking for a client, and organize an operation to arrest him.

“When we heard that Munderere was looking for a buyer, we posed as buyers and arrested him red-handed. Munderere didn’t disclose the source of the narcotics but named his boss, who is still at large,” CIP Karekezi said.

Local residents said that Munderere is part of the ring that traffics the narcotics into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and distributes it to local suppliers in different parts of the country.

The spokesperson warned that the police are aware of all the tricks that drug dealers are using, adding that the ownership of the public continues to play a major part in dismantling rings.

“People, especially the youth are engaging themselves in this black business for money, we urge them to look for other beneficial and legal businesses instead of indulging in criminal activities.”

Article 263 of Rwanda penal code stipulates that any person who, unlawfully, produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offense, with a sentence upon conviction, ranging between 20 years and life in prison, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.

In her official Broadcast as the head of UNMISS Police Component, Vuniwaqa expressed her heartfelt sympathies and grief with the bereaved family.

“It is with deep regret that I must inform you of the untimely passing of Mbabazi ENID, a member of Rwanda FPU-1 [Formed Police Unit-One] deployed in Malakal,” the Police Commissioner said in her official broadcast.

She explained that PC Mbabazi, who was a member of FPU-1 hybrid contingent of 240 Police officers in Malakal, became ill on May 19, 2020 and initially received medical treatment within UNMISS before being medically evacuated back home for further treatment.

Unfortunately, the 24-year old PC Mbabazi succumbed to COVID-19 pandemic on June 2, 2020 at the King Faisal Hospital.

In her broadcast, Vuniwaqa said: “I acknowledge with profound appreciation the contribution of Officer Mbabazi ENID towards the protection of civilians and building durable peace in South Sudan since her arrival in the Mission in December 2019.

On behalf of the UNPOL Senior Management and the entire UNPOL component, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Mbabazi ENID for the loss of their loved one. She will be missed. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

The Day marked on May 29, every year, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, to pay tribute to all the women and men, who have served as military, police, or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations.

The Day also serves to honor their courage, sacrifice, professionalism, dedication, and to pay tribute in the memory of those, who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

The celebrations held at the UNAMID Mission’s Headquarters in Zalingei, was conducted in accordance with the World Health Organisations (WHO) guidelines to prevent the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

With few people at the venue, others joined the celebrations virtually, including the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to UNAMID, Mr. Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo, who presided over the event.

Other officials that graced the Day include UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, Anita Gbeho, Acting UNAMID Police Commissioner Sultan Temuri, Deputy Force Commander as well as other senior leaders from both Police and Military components.

Rwanda maintains Individual Police Officers (IPOs) in UNAMID, who act as trainers and mentors, among other peacekeeping duties

The substances were in 22 drums.

The operation was conducted jointly by Ndera Police Station, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and local authorities.

The distillery located in Cyaruzinge cell produces illicit brew called Agasusurutso. The owner is still on the run.

Olivier Mwizerwa from RSB said the distiller was counterfeiting Agasusurutso, which is normally produced by a licensed dealer.

The counterfeiter, Mwizerwa said, was using ginger, sugar, spirit and water, among others, which are harmful for human consumption.

“The colour, alcoholic content and smell change when you mix these raw materials and have ill-effects on consumers. This is against the recommended standards,” Mwizerwa said.

“It has been established that when you consume such concocted products, you are likely to go blind especially because of the added spirit.

The packaging itself can be dangerous. They were packaging it in plastic bottles and the raw materials they use can not be mixed with plastic products because it can be the source of cancer,” he added.

RSB specifies that “only food grade processing aids recognized as safe for human consumption shall be used during the manufacture.”

Other standard requirements include labeling as a prerequisite; the name of the products, physical and postal address of manufacturer; net contents in milliliters or liters; ethyl alcohol content; date of manufacture and expiry date; storage instruction; statutory warnings; and list of ingredients in descending order.

Angelique Uwinkindi, the acting executive secretary for Ndera said the district had warned the producer against the illegal acts but he switched to operating in the night.

She added that there were reports of violence in families and communities in Ndera caused by abuse of these illicit drinks.

Jean de Dieu Twagirimukiza, a local resident collaborated Uwinkindi’s message saying that he lost control and battered her wife after consuming the illicit brew, which prompted his spouse to leave him.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for City of Kigali said the operations against illegal distilleries and dealers have been going on for a while and scores have also been arrested in Nyarugenge and Kicukiro in connection with the act.

“We are working with the local communities, RSB and local leaders to identify and arrest distillers and sellers of these illicit drinks,” said CIP Umutesi.

She added that Police and RSB first intercepted a consignment of the illicit drink in Nyarugenge market and they traced the source to the distiller in Ndera.

Anyone convicted as a “major dealer” in narcotic and psychotropic substances faces between seven years and life imprisonment.

All drinks with alcoholic content above 45 percent or with unknown alcoholic content is considered as a psychotropic substance.

The motorcycles were recovered from suspected thieves in Ngoma and Gisagara districts.

One of the motorcycles; plate number RB 003X was recovered Thursday from the suspected thief identified as Alexis Tuyishimire, 20, in Ngoma, Mutenderi Sector.

The victim, Olivier Nsangiyumva had given the motorcycle to Tuyishimire to fix a mechanical fault. Tuyishimire was a mechanic in the neighbouring Kazo Sector.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Tuyishimire cut off the communication after he was given the motorcycle to fix it.

“After fixing the motorcycle, he didn’t give it back to the owner, cut off the communications and he was nowhere to be seen. He told people at home that he was traveling to Kigali.

It later came to light that Tuyishimire had secured a buyer in Kigali but he was intercepted in Mutenderi with the motorcycle riding to Kigali,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

He added: “Tuyishimire was intercepted by residents but he abandoned the motorcycle and attempted to escape. Fortunately, Police and residents worked together to locate and arrest him few moments later.”

He thanked the residents for the community policing gesture to recover the motorcycle and to arrest the suspect.

Meanwhile, the second motorcycle TVS RD 048L was recovered from Eric Habinshuti, 34, on Saturday in Mamba, Gisagara District collaboration with local leaders.

Habinshuti was at the time selling it. The would-be buyer Vincent, who is suspected to be dealing in stolen items, fled and the search for him is still underway.

Six of those arrested were found in a betting house in Nyabugogo, white the other is a taxi-moto operator, identified as Claude Tuyishime, who was using water as alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Those found in the betting house include an employee, Fabrice Ndayishimiye, who was facilitating customers in the lottery.

Rwanda National Police spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned against behaviours and actions that expose people to the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and hampering the government efforts against the pandemic.

“It is the first time that we have arrested people in betting services, but our wish is that no one should be arrested because the directives are clear and should be respected,” said CP Kabera.

He added: “Commercial motorcyclists were compliant on the first day but the following days, some of them started to violate the guidelines and a number of them have been arrested in these violations.”

Tuyishime had poured water in a hand sanitizer container to make it look like alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

“We have stood up against risky and prohibited behaviors by motorcyclists. We are aware some of them share their fabrics with their passengers while others have no sanitizers or use water poured in sanitizer containers. Both the motorcyclist and passenger will be arrested if found in such serious violations,” CP Kabera said.

He observed that taxi-moto operators were enlightened enough on the directives and what is required of them to be safe against the virus and to protect their clients.
Among the guidelines issued by Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA), taxi-moto operators and passengers must to carry hand sanitizers.

Motorcyclists are required to sanitize the helmets and ensure passengers sanitize their hands before boarding.

Both the motorcyclists as well as passengers have to wear their face masks and taxi-motor operators have to obey one-meter distance while in parking. Motorcyclists are also required to use cashless payment of fares.

These include those who gathered for prayers as well as driving and language school teachers and their students, who were found in related lessons.

At least 14 people were praying; 11 of them found in the bush in Nyanza, Kicukiro district while three others in a prayer-room in Nyamirambo district; the other 15 including teachers and students, were in a room learning languages and traffic rules and regulations.

Also arrested is Joselyne Mbabazi, the owner of the driving and language school located in CHIC building in the city center.

These are among the prohibited activities in this period as per the government directives on curbing the spread of novel Coronavirus pandemic.

The violators were paraded to the media this Friday afternoon, at Remera metropolitan.

Joselyne Mbabazi, the owner of the school argued that she misinterpreted the directives.

“I thought the directives bind schools that only fall under the Ministry of Education,” Mbabazi said.

“Now, I understand that I breached the directives. I regret the risky and dangerous decision to reopen the school with students from different parts of Kigali. One infected case could have easily contaminated others,” she added.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera advised against such prohibited and risky actions instead of being forced.

“There are some people, who are still trying to find ways to breach the safety guidelines. We advise them to stop because they will be arrested in one way or another,” CP Kabera said.

“If the directives highlight schools, you do not have to classify your school as private for the sake of violation. You do not have to put your life at risk. You can pray and learn from your home. Directives are clear, if you do not understand them, seek clarifications from concerned organs instead of claiming that you misinterpreted them.” He added

The spokesperson thanked members of the public, who reported the unlawful actions and called for maximum compliance.

He warned that “whoever breaches the directives will be arrested.”