Among the 13 arrested are 11 from Musebeya Sector while 2 were arrested in Kibumbwe Sector, Gakanka Cell.
The accused are now in custody at Rwanda Investigation Bureau, Musebeya Station as further investigations get underway.
The Southern Province police, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro said that the arrest followed a tip-off from local residents that saw them carry wood and timber from the forest.
CIP Twajamahoro cautioned people to desist from illegally exploiting government forests as it is illegal and punishable by law.
“Cutting down trees or harvesting from public forests is damaging to the environment, negatively impacting economic activities and lives. Whoever is caught in the act of damaging public forests will be punished by law.”
He added that even before cutting down trees from one’s own forest, he or she must seek permission from the local authorities. He asked all Rwandans to share information with the police about those who illegally cut down trees.
Law N°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 of the national gazette on environment, article 44, states prohibits all activities that are detrimental to the environment.
The120-kilometer Liberation History Tourism Trail is a new tourism product consisting of a collection of sites and trails in 29 sites in six districts of the country that were significant in the War on National Liberation that commenced in 1st October 1990 and ended on 4th July 1994. The trail was opened to the public in August 2019.
The training will give the tour guides and partner institutions the ability to contextualize and accurately narrate the facts and history of the trail.
Speaking during the kick off of the training, the Head of Tourism Regulation Department, Emmanuel Nsabimana said:
“The Liberation History Tourism Trail is a monumental part of Rwanda’s history and heritage with potential to grow tourism revenues. We organised the training for the tour guides to improve their knowledge about the trail as it involves both the theoretical part and field visits that will equip them with the knowledge to guide tourists satisfactorily.”
Speaking while officially opening the training, the Rwanda Defence Force, Air Force Chief of Staff, Major General Emmanuel Bayingana said:
“We are happy to work with tour guides to improve their knowledge on the Rwanda Liberation History Tourism trail and help educate the future generation to uphold the cause of the struggle.”
The agreement was signed on Friday, 31 January 2020 by Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Rwanda Dr. Thomas Kurz.
The Green City Kigali, is a flagship project that will be developed on 600 Ha in Kinyinya sector, Gasabo District estimated at USD 1.5 billion. The Green City Kigali Pilot project is an innovative initiative to enhance a paradigm shift in green urbanisation and create a model community.
The project will demonstrate the viability of green cities in Rwanda, and relevant for replicability for the development of Green Secondary Cities at the national level. Phase I of the Green City Kigali City will pilot the construction of 1,749 house units on 18 hectares with an estimated cost of US$ 103.8 million for five years.
Speaking after the signing event, Minister Ndagijimana said the financing signed today (EUR 10 Million) and subsequent EUR 20 Million to be signed later with Government of Germany will contribute to the financing of the enabling environment/infrastructure part of the pilot phase of the city.
This will include mainly the construction of roads, electricity and water and sanitation supply network to not only leverage and catalyze the private sector investment but also increase the affordability of houses in the Green city.
“Rwanda has decided to fundamentally change the way cities are built by following a holistic and integrated approach to green planning that builds on innovate and future-oriented technologies just as much as on home grown solutions, Minister Ndagijimana said.
The German Ambassador expressed his appreciation of Rwanda’s development results in the past and encouraged them to continue staying ambitious in implementing the new National Strategy for Transformation in partnership with the private sector and civil society.
He emphasized that the strong partnership in planning and implementing this new sustainable and innovative neighborhood in Kigali, offering affordable housing for about 14.000 persons, was essential for the success of the endeavor.
The Division of Labor allows Germany development cooperation programme to be active in Education (including TVET); Decentralization and Good Governance, Private Sector Development and Youth; Public Financial Management (PFM); Financial Development. Germany also supports Regional Projects: Centre of Excellence for Health, Improvement of the Investment Climate, Microfinance sector-MIFSSA, ICGLR and Energy.
Col Faustin Tinka has been appointed Deputy Commander of the Mechanized Division.
Col Joseph Karegire was made the 211 Brigade Commander while Lt Col Geoffrey Gasana was promoted to Col and appointed Deputy Air Force Commander.
Among others promoted in ranks are Lt Col Kitoko Kadida and Lt Col Louis Kanobayire, both of whom were promoted to Col. Colonel Kitoko Kadida was appointed RG Commander while Col Louis Kanobayire was appointed Chief J3.
Lt Col Richard Ndamage was appointed to OPS Officer 1 Division, and Lt Col Ignace Tuyisenge was appointed Deputy Military Police Regiment Commander.
Capt. Danny Gatsinzi was promoted to Lt Col and appointed Chief of OPS in Air Force.
President Kagame assigned Col Karegire new responsibilities after appointing him Chief J3 last November, in 2019.
MINEMA says the rain was characterized by hailstorms, lightning, and hailstones which largely led to loss of lives and property.
Most damages were identified in Kicukiro and Gatsibo districts.
In Gasabo district, a house collapsed and swept away by floods, killing all seven members of the household, but by press time only four bodies had been recovered.
One person in Rulindo was struck by lightning and is in critical condition. Houses that were razed down include; one in Bwishyura Sector, Karongi district, one in Rusiga sector, Rulindo , 12 in Nyarugenge sector, Nyarugenge district.
Moi’s death was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement on the state broadcaster on Tuesday.
“It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of a Great African Statesman, H.E. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya,” the announcement said.
“His Excellency the Former President passed on at the Nairobi Hospital on the early morning of this 4th February 2020, in the presence of his family,” it said.
Moi, a former schoolteacher, ruled Kenya between 1978 and 2002. He had been in the hospital for over a month.
President Kagame chaired the ceremony accompanied by government and security officials including Dr. Ngirente Edouard, Prime Minister of Rwanda, Dr. Iyamuremye Augustin, Senate President, Mukabalisa Donatille,
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Minister of Defense in the Rwandan cabinet as well as Mbabazi Rosemary, Minister of Sports, Edouard Bamporiki, Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports and City of Kigali mayor, Pudence Rubingisa.
The ceremony started with singing the National Anthem followed by a minute of silence in honor of National Heroes who shed their blood to liberate the country and laying a wreath on National Heroes’ graves.
Each year on February 1st, Rwanda celebrates selfless and brave acts of people who put their lives at stake to save countless Rwandans amidst a ruthless mass slaughter.
Across the country, Rwandans celebrated this day in their respective villages where they were reminded to champion heroic values as portrayed by Rwanda’s heroes.
This year, the National Heroes Day was celebrated under the theme “Our heroism, Our dignity”
Deo Nkusi, the Executive Secretary of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour ( CHENO) said that the dignity of the country emanates from its citizens and that therefore Rwandans should tirelessly work to dignify it.
“We must strive to uphold the values our heroes portrayed and contribute to build the country they hardly fought for. In times of war and sorrow, heroism was synonym of brave military actions and even today, security is one of the most important pillar holding our nation together.”
He called upon the youth in particular to be exemplary in whatever they do and work hard to develop the country. “the youth is the future of our country and for that matter, we inculcate to them the Rwandan values we learned from our elders just so they use them as a pillar of development.”
Nkusi said that the secret of development lies in hard work and unity.
The 26th National Heroes’ Day was preceded by the Heroism Week which started from January 24th to January 31st, 2020 with main activities including ‘Ubutwari Tournament’. The tournament included sports disciplines, talk shows and conferences.
In the past three years, research identified 76 other people who showed acts of bravery, some of whom will be added to the list of Rwanda’s National Heroes.
According to the law establishing the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honor “a hero is any person who pursues objectives he/she undertakes to obtain a special achievement for the public interest and with high proven integrity, sacrifice and noble courage in his/her acts and who avoids being a coward in his/her actions in very trying situations.”
{{Rwandan heroes are classified into three categories which are:}}
-* Imanzi: The unknown soldier and Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema.
-* Imena: Mutara III Rudahigwa, Rwagasana Michel, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, Niyitegeka Félicité and Nyange students.
-* Ingenzi: No hero was classified in this category.
The Minister of State in charge of the East African CommunityAmb Olivier Nduhungirehe, posted on his Twitter account that the third quadripartite meeting on Uganda-Rwanda conflict will be held in Angola on February 2nd, 2020.
“Third Quadripartite Summit on relations between Uganda and Rwanda, to be held in Luanda this Sunday 2nd February 2020, under the facilitation of Presidents João Lourenço of Angola and Félix Antoine Tshisekedi of DRC. With good faith and resolve, we can end this crisis.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Angola invited the four parties as per a Twitter message that reads: “President João Lourenço has invited his counterparts Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), for another Quadripartite Summit in Luanda this Sunday. Security matters and regional cooperation will be at the heart of the discussion”
In September, 2019, a follow-up meeting was held in Kigali to evaluate the implementation of the agreement. Resolutions taken included releasing countless Rwandans who were incarcerated in Uganda’s prisons and for Uganda to stop supporting anti-Rwanda terrorist groups.
A second follow-up meeting was held in Kampala in December, 2019, discussing the ongoing conflict between the two countries where Ministers of State and other representatives of security authorities tried to find a common ground and end the tensions but to no avail.
It has been three years now that the tension between Uganda and Rwanda sparked. Rwanda accuses Uganda of imprisoning and torturing its citizens and also supporting anti-Rwanda terrorist groups and activities.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda warned its citizens to stop all travels to Uganda due to illegal incarceration and torture Rwandans who were in Uganda were subjected to. It was emphasized by many Rwandans who were chased out of Uganda and dumped on border posts after being beaten and tortured for alleged crimes of being on Ugandan territory clandestinely or being spies.
Survivors of Uganda’s jails and torture said that they were tortured on order of Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and that some died while others were permanently handicapped.
Uganda recently released 9 Rwandans who were incarcerated illegally and that suggested good faith on its part to solve the conflict.
Minister Biruta said that it was a good step towards solving the conflict but that it was only a beginning since more than 100 Rwandans are still held prisoner in Uganda.
On Friday, Minister Biruta commended China’s efforts in curbing the virus and all preventive measures taken so far to protect its citizens.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement of solidarity with the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Biruta said: “We express our appreciation to China on their handling of the coronavirus outbreak and their support to foreign nationals including Rwandans living in Hubei Province. We remain confident in China’s ability to manage this outbreak and contribution to a coordinated global mechanism.”
The Minister also thanked the Ambassador for support and provision of food and basic necessities are given to the 155 Rwandans living in Hubei province, by the local authorities in collaboration with the Embassy of Rwanda in Beijing.
The Ministry of Health announced that currently, no Rwandan has been identified with the Coronavirus and advised Rwandans to avoid unnecessary travels to coronavirus endemic countries.
In a recent press conference, Urujeni Bakuramutsa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said so far none of Rwandans living in Hubei was infected.
Some countries have started withdrawing their citizens from China but the Minister of Health Dr. Diane Gashumba said Rwanda has not yet taken that decision. “We are confident that the health care system in China has the capacity to curb the epidemic.”
Rwanda continues to adopt preventive measures against the Coronavirus. The Ministry of Health in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) recently deployed a permanent rapid response team of 10 at Kigali International Airport to protect travelers against Coronavirus.
On another side, RwandAir, the carrier airline of Rwanda has temporarily suspended flights to Guangzhou, China from January 31st until further notice.
The Coronavirus was first identified towards the end of 2019, in Wuhan, China. New reports show that 9809 have already been infected and 213 died from it in China.
The Coronavirus spreads through direct contact with the infected person, sneezing and coughing. To prevent the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization advises regular handwashing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. In addition, it is important to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
RwandAir implemented the decision after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus as a public health emergency on January 30th, 2020. The global outbreak currently includes 98 cases in 18 countries, outside China.
RwandAir announced that all affected by that decision will be reimbursed or allowed to postpone their travels to later dates. Flights to Mumbai, India will not be affected.
Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) is currently conducting an awareness campaign with aviation personnel on the prevention of the people.
Apart from RwandAir, other carrier airlines including British Airways, Swiss Airlines, and Kenya Airways have also temporarily stopped flights to China. Austrian Airlines has also stopped travels to and from Beijing and Shanghai until February 9th, 2020.
American Airlines announced that it had stopped flights to Shanghai and Beijing between February 9th and March 27th, 2020. The same applies to Lion Air Group from Indonesia, Air India, and Seoul Air.
RwandAir launched flights to Guangzhou, China on June 18th, 2019. Flights depart from Kigali International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun three times a week passing through Mumbai, India for a duration of 16 hours.
The Ministry of Health in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) recently deployed a permanent rapid response team of 10 at Kigali International Airport to protect travelers against Coronavirus. Travelers are also mandated to respond to a series of questions to remove all doubts they carry the virus.
The Coronavirus has so far claimed the lives of 170 people only in China and continues to spread to other countries. The virus was spread by travelers from Wuhan, China where the virus originated from, who made it to other countries before there were border restrictions.
In Germany, Japan, Vietnam, and the United States combined only 8 people were identified to carry the Coronavirus. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties and in advanced stages, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
The Coronavirus spreads through direct contact with the infected person, sneezing and coughing. To prevent the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization advises regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. In addition, it is important to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
