Author: IGIHE

Usually, cargo trucks from Mombasa port pass through Uganda and Rwanda before reaching Burundi.

The government of Burundi has decided it will not allow any more cargo trucks from Rwanda to enter its territory. The decision received negative feedback from traders as it contradicts the East African Community (EAC) resolution to ease the movement of people and goods between member countries during the COVID-19 crisis.

Ministers of health and EAC coordinators agreed that member countries will be allowed free movement across borders after thorough coronavirus testing.

The Rwanda Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has written to Kenya and Uganda informing them that cargo trucks that were heading to Burundi were denied entrance.

The letter reads: “The government of Burundi has denied entrance of cargo trucks from Rwanda despite EAC measures to allow movement of goods during the pandemic.”

“Following Burundi’s decision, with immediate effect, Rwanda will not be allowing cargo trucks carrying goods to Burundi to pass through its territory.”

Since last week, cargo trucks that were carrying goods to Burundi have been stranded in the no man’s land between Rwanda and Burundi. The letter from the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation shows that 23 cargo trucks have been denied access to Burundi’s territory as of March 30th, 2020.

Truck drivers have tried negotiating with Burundian authorities but to no avail.

On March 28th, 2020, two trucks heading to Burundi via Nemba border in Bugesera, Rwanda were denied access to Burundi’s territory. They were discharged and goods were packed onto Burundian trucks. One other truck is still stuck at the border until today.

On March 27th, 2020, at Ruhwa border post, two other trucks were denied entrance. At Akanyaru border post, a few other cargo trucks were stuck and drivers were negotiating with Burundian authorities to be granted access.

On March 29th, 2020, 8 trucks that were carrying goods to Burundi were intercepted at Mirama Hills no man’s land between Rwanda and Uganda.

On Tuesday, March 31st, 2020, Rwanda granted refuge to 6 Burundian citizens who were denied entrance by their government. As announced by the directorate general of immigration and emigration, the 6 Burundians have been stranded at the border since March 27th, 2020.

The 6 Burundians include a family of 5 with one member who came to Rwanda for chemotherapy and another Burundian citizen who was traveling from Kenya to Burundi via Rwanda.

Tharcienne Hashazinka had been staying in Rwanda for months while his son was being treated for cancer at Butaro Hospital. The family of 5 tried all they could to cross over to Burundi but were denied entrance.

An official at the directorate general of immigration and emigration stated that the 6 Burundian citizens were granted refuge at a hostel in Huye district and are under a 14-day mandatory quarantine as a preventive procedure against coronavirus.

Burundi’s decision to impose a total blockade is against EAC’s recent resolutions to allow movement of goods between member countries. Citizens who were stranded in foreign countries before the lockdown were allowed to liaise with the embassy of Burundi to be granted entrance but the government of Burundi failed to respect the agreement.

On March 20th, 2020, the government of Rwanda resorted to implementing a complete lockdown on air travel to curb the spread of the virus since it was shown that most infected patients had a recent travel history. Only cargo and emergency flights were allowed to keep operating.

RwandAir confirmed it will resume cargo carriage to facilitate trade and import of necessary goods including drugs.

Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said that passenger aircrafts will not be used for cargo transportation but rather freight haulers and “RwandAir is streamlining its operations to facilitate air freight during the pandemic.”

Air freight schedules will be announced by the end of this week. In a period where most airlines across the world are facing bankruptcy, cargo transportation is a solution that might help RwandAir stay afloat and at the same time ease international trade during the pandemic.

Other export goods such as tea, coffee, and flowers which make a large percentage of Rwanda’s earnings will also be transported.

Reports say that Dr. Kampale, a Congolese national, was found dead in his apartment on March 28th,2020.

Dr. Theobald Hategekimana, CHUK Director General said Kampale was found dead on Saturday.

Marie Michelle Umuhoza, RIB Spokesperson confirmed the death of Dr. Kampale but said that further investigations are underway to establish what caused his death.

Dr. Kampale was a specialist in Anesthesiology.

Rwandans who were violently beaten and tortured by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) are currently being treated at Byumba hospital in the Northern Province.

On March 22nd, 2020, Uganda confirmed its first case of coronavirus. He is a 36-year-old Ugandan who arrived in Uganda from Dubai. Currently, Uganda reports 33 cases of coronavirus. While patient zero was a Ugandan, the country continues to blame Rwandans for spreading the virus.

Nambajimana Emmanuel and Nshimyumukiza Michael who were tortured in Uganda and are currently receiving medical care at Byumba hospital arrived in Rwanda on March 29th after they were dumped at the border by the CMI.

They had been selling honey for two years in Jinja, Eastern Uganda.

Nambajimana said that after the outbreak of coronavirus, trade activities stopped and they decided to come back home “Our vehicle was intercepted midway by the CMI and they started accusing us of having been sent by the government of Rwanda to spread coronavirus.”

He confirmed he was beaten beyond imagination and injured. “We explained that we had been doing business in Uganda for 2 years and that we haven’t recently been to Rwanda but they wouldn’t listen to us.”

Nambajimana said that although they only said they were bringing them to the border, they instead brought them at the CMI headquarters and started torturing them. “After they dumped us at the border, herdsmen on the side of Rwanda saw us and brought us to hospital.”

Nshimyumukiza Michael who was also severely tortured is receiving medical care at Byumba hospital. He said that after he was tortured, the CMI stole 2 million shillings he had on him as well as other belongings.

Last week, 342 other Rwandans were dumped at the borders in Burera and Gicumbi in thr Northern Province. They were also accused of having been sent to spread coronavirus.

The CMI has reportedly started hunting down Rwandans on allegations of spreading the virus when no tests were conducted whatsoever.

Rwandans who were dumped on borders are predominantly merchants who conducted business in Kisoro, Gahenerezo close to Burera in North Rwanda. They arrived in Rwanda on Sunday, March 29th, 2020 and have been quarantined for 14 days as the ministry of health directives dictate.

Gatabazi JMV, Northern Province Governor said that Rwandans were accused of spreading coronavirus in Uganda since patient zero was identified on March 14th, 2020. It is reported that Uganda’s military strictly forbids Rwandans from crossing over to Uganda ever since.

“They used the virus as a motive to chase Rwandans starting from those who lived in Kabale and Kisoro.”

Among the 342 people who were dumped on borders are a Congolese citizen and 2 Ugandans who were mistaken for being Rwandans. They are also quarantined along with Rwandan citizens. They are assisted daily with essential needs while the quarantine lasts.

MTN Rwanda has also introduced various mobile and digital solutions to promote digital penetration during the crisis.

Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi, MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer said that they are determined to help Rwandans seamlessly communicate during this period and contribute to fighting the spread of coronavirus with ease of access to digital channels.

“We will do our best to help stem the spread of coronavirus and counter the negative effects it is having on our economy, the health, technology, and education sectors.”

Through the MTN Foundation, MTN Rwanda donated Rwf 10 million to RBC in a bid to support their daily activities and research during the coronavirus pandemic. MTN Rwanda will also allow free-of-charge calls between doctors and nurses for 90 days.

MTN Rwanda is supporting the ministry of health to spread sensitization programs against coronavirus via message.
In addition, during the lockdown, the ministry of education (MINEDUC) has introduced e-learning platforms to assist students.

While the lockdown continues, MTN Rwanda will work closely with MINEDUC and the Ministry ot ICT and Innovation to facilitate online learning via Rwanda Education Board (REB) website , https://elearning.reb.rw/, or the University of Rwanda websites, https://elearning.ur.ac.rw/ and https://elearning.rp.ac.rw/ for free.

Mitwa Ng’ambi said “We know it is very important for students not to lose the pace with their studies during the pandemic and we have waived internet fees to facilitate learning.”

To facilitate seamless communication during the pandemic, MTN Rwanda has increased the daily limit on Airtime Transfer (Me2U) from Rwf 3000 to Rwf 6000 while Mobile Money transfer limit has been increased from Rwf 500,000 to Rwf 1,000,000.

On March 19th, 2020, mobile network operators and banks allowed zero charge transfers on all payments between bank accounts and mobile wallets, zero charges on Mobile Money transfers and zero merchant fees on all POS payments for 90 days.

During the lockdown, the number of MTN internet users doubled. “We have decided to expand our network connection to allow users a seamless experience.”

All Mobile Money agents are required to wear gloves and masks and maintain a one-meter distance while serving customers to curb the spread of coronavirus.

We know the human toll will be high, and that massive efforts to turn the tide carry a heavy economic cost.

To reduce the risk of an even greater toll – shortage of food for millions, even in affluent countries – the world must take immediate actions to minimize disruptions to food supply chains.

A globally coordinated and coherent response is needed to prevent this public health crisis from triggering a food crisis in which people cannot find or afford food.

For now, COVID-19 has not entailed any strain on food security, despite anecdotal reports of crowded supermarket sieges.

While there’s no need for panic – there is enough supply of food in the world to feed everyone – we must face the challenge: an enormous risk that food may not be made available where it is needed.

The COVID-19 outbreak, with all the accompanying closures and lockdowns, has created logistical bottlenecks that ricochet across the long value chains of the modern global economy.

Restrictions of movement, as well as basic aversion behavior by workers, may impede farmers from farming and food processors (who handle most agricultural products) from processing. Shortage of fertilizers, veterinary medicines, and other input could also affect agricultural production.

Closures of restaurants and less frequent grocery shopping diminish demand for fresh produce and fisheries products, affecting producers and suppliers, especially smallholder farmers, with long-term consequences for the world’s increasingly urbanized population, be they in Manhattan or Manila.

Uncertainty about food availability can induce policymakers to implement trade restrictive measures in order to safeguard national food security.

Given the experience of the 2007-2008 global food price crisis, we know that such measures can only exacerbate the situation.

Export restrictions put in place by exporting countries to increase food availability domestically could lead to serious disruptions in the world food market, resulting in price spikes and increased price volatility.

In 2007-2008, these immediate measures proved extremely damaging, especially for low income food-deficit countries and to the efforts of humanitarian organizations to procure supplies for the needy and vulnerable.

We should all learn from our recent past and not make the same mistakes twice.

Policymakers must take care to avoid accidentally tightening food-supply conditions.

While every country faces its own challenges, collaboration – between governments and the full gamut of sectors and stakeholders – is paramount. We are experiencing a global problem that requires a global response.

We must ensure that food markets are functioning properly and that information on prices, production, consumption and stocks of food is available to all in real time. This approach will reduce uncertainty and allow producers, consumers, traders and processors to make informed decisions and to contain unwarranted panic behavior in global food markets.

The health impacts of the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic on some of the poorest countries are still unknown. Yet, we can say with certainty that any ensuing food crisis as a result of poor policy-making will be a humanitarian disaster that we can avert.

We already have 113 million people experiencing acute hunger; in sub-Saharan Africa, a quarter of the population is undernourished. Any disruptions to food supply chains will intensify both human suffering and the challenge of reducing hunger around the world.

We must do everything possible to not let that happen. Prevention costs less. Global markets are critical for smoothening supply and demand shocks across countries and regions, and we need to work together to ensure that disruptions of food supply chains are minimized as much as possible.

COVID-19 forcefully reminds us that solidarity is not charity, but common sense.

{{QU Dongyu
Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)}}

On March 29th, 2020, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, RNP Spokesperson reported on the current situation of Rwanda during the 2-week mandatory lockdown.

Kabera said that over the last week, some individuals left their homes with no valid reason and warned them that this week, measures will be reinforced and penalties imposed to those who will fail to respect preventive measures.

He said that apart from citizens who work in hospitals, banks, markets, and other essential businesses, only sick people are allowed to move out of their homes during the lockdown. “For grocery shopping, only one individual per household is allowed to move out or better call upon delivery services.”

While the ministry of local government confirmed that alcohol consumption is not prohibited during the lockdown, RNP condemns individuals who have turned their homes into bars.

“We are not prohibiting people to consume alcohol but the least they can do is avoid calling over friends because that is how the virus spreads.”

While taxi-moto drivers were prohibited to carry passengers, some went over the rules and did it while trucks that were allowed to carry fertilizers and veterinary products were intercepted carrying passengers as well.

RNP commended institutions which contributed to reinforcing preventive measures during lockdown by imposing a one-meter distance between customers.

CP Kabera said that the lockdown will continue until further notice.
On March 29th, 2020, the ministry of health announced that so far, 70 patients have tested positive for coronavirus.

On March 21st, 2020, the government of Rwanda implemented new preventive measures including a 14-day renewable mandatory quarantine, a complete air travel ban, and closing borders among others.

Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente said that more measures will be implemented to curb further spread of coronavirus.

Since the first patient was identified on March 14th, 2020, the number of coronavirus patients in Rwanda has increased to 70.

Before the outbreak of coronavirus, Rwanda and DRC merchants strived on cross-border trade. At least between 40,000 and 45,000 people cross over from Rwanda to DRC and back for trade purposes via Petite Barriere Border Post in Rubavu District.

The Ministry of trade and industry recently announced that cross-border trade between Rwanda and DRC generated $120 million in 2018.

However, to avoid further spread of coronavirus, trade between the two countries has temporarily been suspended and only cargo will be allowed into the country.

Local government administration in the Western Province stated merchants are concerned they will incur loss during the lockdown and requested to be allowed to resume their activities.

Laurent Nsengiyumva, Advisor to the Western Province Mayor told IGIHE that when new preventive measures were implemented, merchants were reluctant but after penalties were imposed, they have started abiding by the rules. Until now, 639 people have received fines for failing to respect preventive measures imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Uwambajemariya Florence, Western Province Executive Secretary said that the district has started distributing food in Rubavu and Rusizi to counter the negative effects of the lockdown. Essential food such as maize flour, beans, cooking oil, rice, salt, and sugar and soap have already been distributed in many sectors of the country.

In cases where pneumonia inhibits breathing, supplemental oxygen therapy is recommended. Treatment includes ventilation with oxygen.

LEAF Pharmaceuticals will be manufacturing drugs to reduce inflammation and help open airways during respiratory disease instead of using Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilators as usual.

Reports from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) show that due to the increasing number of coronavirus patients, ICU ventilators have become expensive with their prices increasing from $27,000 to $96,000.

Dr. Clet Niyikiza, Founder, President, and CEO of LEAF Pharmaceuticals told Rwanda Television (RTV) that the company is among 17 other pharmaceutical institutions in the United States which are conducting research to find a vaccine or cure for coronavirus.

Currently, the US counts more than 142,000 coronavirus patients while 2500 succumbed to the virus.

Last week, President Trump invoked a war-era Production Act forcing companies such as General Motors to make products for national defence. General Motors which usually is a car manufacturing company will start producing ventilators for coronavirus patients in the US and other parts of the world.

LEAF Pharmaceuticals and 16 other companies were allowed to manufacture drugs against coronavirus using Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin prototypes which are used to treat Malaria and viral diseases respectively.

Dr. Niyikiza said “Coronavirus causes respiratory infections in most of the cases and patients need supplementary oxygen to be able to breathe. We are manufacturing drugs to complement ICU ventilators and the first units will be available in the next three weeks.”

Currently, more than 100 drugs to treat coronavirus are being tested and Dr, Niyikiza says they are confident a cure will be identified by the end of the year.

Dr. Karangwa Charles, FDA Ag Director General told IGIHE that LEAF Pharmaceuticals has already requested for a permit to manufacture drugs for oxygen therapy.

“We are still in the negotiation process and intend to provide a permit to LEAF Pharmaceuticals after a thorough evaluation of their capacities and their expertise. Patients will be treated using Glucocorticoids to suppress inflammatory symptoms caused by the coronavirus.”

Currently, no cure for coronavirus has been identified. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, cough, and fatigue.

On March 21st, 2020, Prime Minister Ngirente stated that preventive measures needed reinforcement to prevent further spread of the virus. New measures include a 14-day renewable lockdown where citizens are mandated to stay home and practice social distancing.

In addition, a complete ban on air travel has been imposed and borders closed for 30 days.

Some citizens from Kayonza failed to respect preventive measures, opened shops and bars despite the government’s guidelines that only essential businesses should remain operational.

Murenzi Jean Claude, Kayonza district mayor told IGIHE that at least 120 people have been caught going against the government’s directives and that they have been punished for it.

“So far, 120 people in Kayonza received penalties for failure to practice social distancing and observing the ministry of health preventive measures. Most of them had opened shops and selling illicit brew.”

Currently, 54 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Rwanda. The ministry of health confirmed that at least 1200 people had close contact with infected patients while 900 among them have already been tested.

COVID-19 spreads through direct contact with the infected person, sneezing and coughing. To prevent the spread of the virus, regular hand washing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers or clean water and soap is advised, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoiding large gatherings.

In addition, it is important to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.