IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • Smugglers arrested with assorted goods

    Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the smugglers were caught with 24 tins of powdered milk, nine sacks of banned skin bleaching lotions and a sack of polythene bags.

    “They were arrested in the middle of the night smuggling the goods, including those that are banned in Rwanda like skin whitening products and plastic bags. They were using illegal border points from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and were intercepted by the security personnel on patrol,” CIP Karekezi said.

    He explained that the smugglers were arrested alongside one Rutagarama Museveni alias Murasta, who is said to be the owner of the goods.

    “Two people had smuggled the goods and delivering them to Rutagarama. When security personnel detected them, they were approaching his house and indeed they immediately entered the same house, where they were arrested with the goods,” CIP Karekezi explained.

    He reminded the public that such fraud can also be the source and spread of Coronavirus.

    Under the East African Community Management Act, which is applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.

    The vehicle used in fraud and smuggling is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.
    Three suspected smugglers were arrested on Monday July 6, in Mbugangali Cell, Gisenyi Sector in Rubavu District with assorted goods.

  • Coronavirus did not halt our operations-RNP

    He warned all people to think of engaging in criminal activities.

    “We are not consumed by the current situation; we are engaged in all operations against criminality and implementing all issued directives including those related to preventing further spread of Coronavirus,” CP Kabera said.

    The spokesperson was throwing some light on the policing activities in this period on Monday while appearing on Waramutse Rwanda, a morning show on Rwanda Television.

    He thanked the public for their role in fighting and preventing crimes through information sharing.

    Rwanda started drafting and implementing measures against Coronavirus in mid-March when the first case was detected in the country. RNP is at the center of implementing all the directives.

    Since then, many people have been arrested either violating the directives or in criminal acts such as drug trafficking, retailing, smuggling; drunkenness, and related unlawful acts such as assault; illegal mining, and trade of minerals, among others.
    Although RNP is engaged in enforcing the directives on COVID -19, the safety of people in Rwanda and their property is the force’s overall priority.

    “Many drug dealers, smugglers; illegal dealers in minerals, thieves have been arrested in this period. So don’t be deceived, we are wide awake, you will be arrested.
    It’s both committing a crime and breaching government directives and derailing efforts against the pandemic,” CP Kabera said.

    “Community policing empowers the people to be custodians of the law in their localities, it has become a force multiplier to detect, fight, and prevent crimes.”

    He urged the general public to continue exercising their policing rights by utilizing RNP communication channels.

    RNP communication channels

    110: Maritime
    111: Fire and Rescue
    112: Emergency
    113: Traffic Accidents
    118: Traffic Police Queries
    997: Anti-Corruption
    3511: Abuse by Police Officer
    WhatsApp: 0788311155
    Twitter: @Rwandapolice
    YouTube: Rwanda Police
    Facebook: Rwanda National Police
    Instagram: Rwanda National Police
    RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera has said that at COVID-19 neither weakened nor stopped usual Police operations against lawlessness.

  • AOS Ltd: celebrating Liberation with intensified efforts of turning Rwanda into an IT hub

    AOS Ltd Management and staff wish all Rwandans a Happy Liberation Day as we celebrate 26 years of liberation. This is a day when friends of Rwanda and Rwandans across the world come together to reflect on the time when the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped and to celebrate the transformation journey.

    AOS Ltd started its operation in 2014, and have contributed to the development of the ICT sector in Rwanda; developed and deployed various systems for both the public and private sectors. AOS developed and deployed the electronic procurement system (e-Procurement) of Rwanda called “Umucyo” in collaboration with Minecofin and RPPA which has increased accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the public procurement process.

    AOS also deployed the public surveillance CCTV and vehicle enforcement system in collaboration with Rwanda National Police that contributes to the safety and security of Rwandans by providing real-time accurate information.

    The company has been managing and operating the National Data Center of Rwanda hosting both the public and private sector offering various hosting services including cloud computing, server colocation, web and email hosting, Backup as a service and disaster recovery services to suit customer needs and improve the way they are doing business.

    AOS has implemented the Government smart administration system in collaboration with RISA to improve collaboration system and ensure paperless communication between Government institutions and private customers. The project is ongoing.

    There are ways AOS uses to minimize the cost of hosting websites locally.
    AOS is minimizing the cost of acquisition by using customized home grown solutions and growing customer base to capitalize on the volume of sales and not on the price. The company has made a significant drop in service charges for hosting websites locally with the lowest option being Rwf2,025 per month (24,300 Rwf annually) and a price reduction for cloud computing services as well for the private sector.

    AOS Ltd aims to provide good quality of service at an affordable price and will continue to offer better affordable rates to its customers.

    AOS says there are several benefits of local web hosting.

    The Chief Marketing Officer of AOS, Mr. Manzi Olivier Rwaka said that “Hosting locally contributes to the development of the economy by employing the Rwandan workforce and promoting made in Rwanda solutions. End users hosted locally will have a better experience reducing the network latency, therefore, enjoying faster browsing, more website uptime, and better loading time while accessing their data especially if the data hosted is mostly accessed by users in Rwanda,”

    “Another advantage is that users hosted locally can get better support from the local hosting provider when needed at any time with an advantage of using our local language Kinyarwanda. There’s also a security aspect knowing that your data is locally hosted especially sensitive data for Rwandans.”

    According to Mr. Manzi Olivier Rwaka, they see an increase in web and mail hosting customers over the years in the private sector. Customers look for good quality of service, good support at an affordable price. The price reduction has also contributed to attract more people to host locally but there’s still more to be done to bring back local content in Rwanda and AOS Ltd is committed to provide the best service at good rates and to contribute in the growth of the private sector in Rwanda.

    The interviewer asked the Chief Executive Officer of AOS, Mr. Seong Woo Kim how AOS services are sharpening Rwanda’s vision of becoming an ICT Hub.

    “We are contributing to make Rwanda an ICT hub by providing Data Center services not only to local customers but also to regional as we have been targeting the EAC market and international customers.

    “As of September 2018, the World Bank officially acknowledged that Rwanda e-procurement system “Umucyo” is the first successful case in Africa. The system has attracted interest from various African countries that would like to have a similar system in their countries.”

    Back in 2018, several websites went down in the country including some of the government-owned websites. The interviewer asked AOS what are the measures that have been taken to get this issue answered once and for all.

    “We have reviewed policies and procedures in place to avoid incidents or technical problems and we have put in place a mitigation plan to the issues that were noticed,” The Chief Marketing Officer of AOS, Mr. Manzi Olivier Rwaka assures.

    In the level of the continent when it comes to its mission of bringing ICT solutions and services that will transform Africa, AOS place themselves as an ICT provider company with expertise and experience in Data Center operations, solution development, systems integration that can be exported to other African countries. They are challengers on the market and believe to be competitive in the EAC market.

    AOS Ltd has initiatives to help Rwanda to turn into a high-tech hub as well as channels that will foster their targets.

    The Chief Executive Officer of AOS, Mr. Seong Woo Kim said that “We need to develop more homegrown solutions. In the beginning, we start developing our solutions with the support from others with more expertise which will increase the knowledge and skills of our local engineers in various aspects and enhance our understanding of the end-users. Then, there will be more local engagement for other solutions and at the end, we will be able to successfully deliver ourselves by given the focus to the people who are engaged in these efforts such as software developers, network and security engineers, sales and marketing experts who interact with end-users.

    “We need to keep them and give them the tools that they need so that they can build their experience and build their know-how. Finally, knowledge sharing and training should be done. We also plan to have an ICT academy to teach various IT skills to Rwandans.”

    They will also export those successful solutions to other African countries as Made in Rwanda products, therefore, boost the economy and turn Rwanda into an ICT hub.The CEO of AOS, Seong Woo Kim said that the organization aims to make Rwanda, a landmark of TechnologyAOS has partnered with the National Police to establish video surveillance, CCTV, on various streets.One of the systems developed by AOS is used in the public e-procurement platform known as Manzi Olivier Rwaka, The Chief Marketing Officer at AOS, said that there are a lot of benefits in hosting data locally

  • Impano Sports Ltd strives to dress sports teams with Made-in-Rwanda uniforms

    Impano Sports Ltd is a company that manufactures and sells quality affordable sportswear here in Rwanda since 2018.

    In an interview with IGIHE, Allen Simms, who is also a professional fitness and sports coach of Athletics, said that sports are important in the ongoing vision to build Rwanda after 26 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    As a coach who was also once a professional athlete for USA, Allen says that sports can heal people’s wounds and unite people from different backgrounds.

    “For example when we take a professional football team that has players from different towns, cultures, races, or countries the fans only see 1 united team, not the players differences or backgrounds. This sports team can join people together under a common goal, to win thus helping in healing from past wounds. As with Car Free Day that unites several people, you see people happy even though there are those with differences from the past and normally would not gather together in peace.”

    After two years in the clothing industry, Impano Sports Ltd aims to support the ‘Made in Rwanda’ program so that even Rwandan teams will start getting affordable, made-in-the-country team sports uniforms rather than purchase from Europe or Asia at high cost.

    “We have to destroy the second-hand ideology on all levels and value what can be designed and produced here because the development of the country and its future depends on it, not what the outside world can sale to Rwanda. We at Impano have worked very hard with customer service to establish a quality affordable brand, without outside assistance. We rely on our customers to give us feedback to help us improve our product, we strive to build from within,” he said.

    “I’m the only non-Rwandan in the company, our products are designed and produced by Rwandans, there should pride in that.”

    “Our goal is to join the sportswear market in Rwanda and to dress teams participating in various sports including the Olympics, the World Championships, and other competitions. We believe that if Rwandans feel that what is being produced at home is of good quality, it will bring more trust and comfort in supporting made in Rwanda products in the future.”

    Impano urges Rwandans that during this period of celebrating the 26th anniversary of the liberation of Rwanda, everyone should strive for sustainable development of the country and to liberate our minds holistically from second-hand products and cheap goods being passed as original products from outside of Rwanda.
    whatsapp_image_2020-07-05_at_08.09.05.jpgImpano Sports Ltd is a company that manufactures and sells quality affordable sportswear here in Rwanda since 2018.Impano urges Rwandans to liberate our minds holistically from second-hand products and cheap goods being passed as original products from outside of Rwanda.whatsapp_image_2020-07-05_at_08.08.56.jpgAs a coach who was also once a professional athlete for USA, Allen says that sports can heal people’s wounds and unite people from different backgrounds.whatsapp_image_2020-07-07_at_10.55.26.jpgwhatsapp_image_2020-07-07_at_10.55.26_1_.jpgwhatsapp_image_2020-07-07_at_10.55.26_2_.jpgwhatsapp_image_2020-07-07_at_10.55.26_3_.jpgAllen Simms, CEO of Impano Sports LtdPresident Kagame wearing Impano Sport Ltd cloths

  • Over 4,500 liters of illicit brew seized in intensified operations

    The substances were impounded in separate operations conducted in June in the sectors of Rugera and Shyira.

    The psychotropic substances were disposed-of in a public exercise held in Rugera Sector.

    Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the operations were conducted by Rugera Police station, which oversees the two sectors.

    “There was information about people venturing in illegal breweries producing psychotropic substances especially in Gicumbi District and supplying other dealers in Musanze District. Rugera and Shyira sectors in Nyabihu were, therefore, found to be their main trafficking routes,” CIP Karekezi said.

    “Two vehicles were impounded during the operations; one Daihatsu was transporting 2, 200 liters of illicit brew while another had over 1,000 liters. Other psychotropic substances were being transported on motorcycles and bicycles,” he added.

    He explained that through communication between District Police Units, they traced the sources where the substances were produced, dismantled the illegal distilleries and owners handed varied penalties as the law specifies.

    He observed that besides being unhygienic and harmful to consumers, these psychotropic substances have been found to be the source of other crimes related to gender and domestic and fighting.

    “We commend the role of the public in these successful operations, which were mainly based on credible information they shared with the Police on producers, traffickers and routes used,” CIP Karekezi said.

    All drinks with alcoholic content exceeding 45% or with unknown alcoholic content are prohibited in Rwanda and classified as psychotropic substances.

    Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in Rwanda, anyone convicted for producing, trafficking or selling narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances faces between seven years and life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.

  • Police urges public to be responsive to mass testing

    RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera appealed to those going about their errands to exercise patience to be tested to facilitate the national efforts against the pandemic.

    “Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) started mass testing in Kigali on Thursday, and testing units are stationed at different points on streets of Kigali and its entry points. Police officers have also been deployed to facilitate the medical exercise.

    They are deployed at these testing points to direct people, including pedestrians, those in vehicles and motorcycles. We urge the public to be collaborative and responsive to the Police officers’ instructions,” CP Kabera said.

    He added: “This is a drive or ride through testing where passengers remain in their respective automobiles as medics collect samples. Motorists and pedestrians will be stopped briefly, this is a medical exercise meant to keep everyone safe from the pandemic, so there is every reason for everyone to exhibit voluntary behaviors.”
    55-17.jpg

  • KWIBOHORA 26: Reflecting on RNP’s footsteps in the liberation journey

    The country’s Kwibohora journey also required restructuring and building a strong and proactive security system.

    Prior to and immediately after the Rwandan Patriotic Front and Army (RPF/A) liberated Rwanda on 4th July 1994, Rwanda had several Para-military and Civil defense forces entrusted to keep law and order.

    These included the Gendarmerie Nationale under the Defense ministry, the Communal Police under the Ministry of Interior and the Judicial Police Inspectors under the Ministry of Justice.

    In the year 2000, the Government of Rwanda thought it wise to have an organized, well-coordinated and professional police force that would effectively deal with security challenges that were relatively high at the time.

    This led to the merger of the three institutions in June 2000, which had the Policing and law and order functions at the time, forming the Rwanda National Police (RNP).

    The RNP as a proactive force is built on the core values of professionalism, patriotism, integrity and high level of discipline. When RNP came into being on June 16, 2000, its first priority in Kwibohora journey was to consolidate safety and security, which had been lacking under the previous governments culminating into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    To do this, so much investment was made in promoting the values of selfless service, professionalism and efficiency in overcoming crime and enabling a safe environment;

    Community policing

    The last 20 years have defined the meaning of partnership in policing. The current safety and security as determined by local, regional and international reports that have placed Rwanda as one of the safest countries globally, is partly attributed to this valuable partnership between RNP and other public and private institutions under the grand and visionary leadership.

    The RNP Community Policing approach is hinged on the core values of: Justice and respect for human rights, gender sensitivity, Integrity, teamwork, openness, accountability, partnership and a community relations focus, professional conduct, efficiency and effectiveness.

    Since the year 2000 when it was created, RNP has opened communication channels with the public including regular social media interactions, electronic and print publications, toll-free telephone lines for emergencies, the formation of groups of active community policing partners that include over 300, 000 Youth Volunteers in Community Policing, Anti-crime Ambassadors, 174,000 members of Community Policing Committees (CPCs), over 2000 Anti-crime clubs in schools, transport associations, media fraternity, artists, faith based organizations as well as government and private institutions that have signed MoUs with RNP.

    The RNP strongly believe that enhanced citizen participation in maintaining security as well as getting involved in human security initiatives lays a strong foundation that help to strengthen partnerships in crime prevention, support social programmes and support national efforts towards sustainable development.

    Human Security

    The factor of human security lies at the centre of the RNP proactive policing over the last 20 years of dedicated service to the people. This involved reaching out to the disadvantaged families with heifer, shelter, medical insurance premiums, connecting over 10000 households that are far from the national grid with solar power system; access to clean water, creating and renovating feeder roads connecting communities, environmental protection and hygiene activities, among others.

    The annual month-long community development activities—Police Month–focuses on this human security factor to support communities, uplift lives and cement the people-centered policing—a community policing methodology—and raising awareness against high impact crimes.

    These human security practices are designed in line with the Liberation journey and to ensure the responsiveness of everyone in fighting and preventing crime, improving the welfare of the people and a way of dealing with the root-cause of crime.

    While presiding over the 17th Police Day anniversary, His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, said: “The Police cannot succeed when working alone but it can achieve its goals when working in collaboration with citizens.”

    Policing in a globalized world

    In order to effectively ensure the safety of people and their property; training, acquiring modern policing equipment, face-lifting the infrastructure, improving the welfare of police officers; embracing technology in policing, gender equality, peacekeeping; all these were prioritized to ensure sustainable security as a foundation to the liberation of the economy and development.

    The National Police College (NPC), Police Training School (PTS) Gishari and the Counter-Terrorism Training Centre (CTTC) Mayange are at the heart of career and professional training and building a disciplined and professionalized police force.

    Peacekeeping

    Participation in Peace Support Operations (PSOs) is Rwanda’s principled decision with roots in the country’s tragic experience of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    The first Rwanda National Police (RNP) Peace Keeping Mission was deployed in 2005 when police officers were deployed to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) later to be renamed United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

    Over the last 15 years, more than 7700 Rwanda Police officers have participated in peacekeeping duties across the globe, of which over 1,400 are women.

    Participation in peacekeeping is Rwanda’s moral obligation to prevent similar Genocide tragedy from happening elsewhere and was passionate about protection of lives in conflict affected areas.

    Today, Rwanda is the second-largest Police contributing country to UN Peace Support Operations with over 1,000 officers deployed to different missions.

    Rwandan Police Officers are deployed in South Sudan (UNMISS), Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Darfur (UNAMID) Haiti (BINUH) and Abyei (UNSFA).

    Over the last 15 years of peacekeeping journey, RNP have also participated in restoring peace and security in Ivory Coast, Mali, Liberia and deployment of FPUs in Haiti; Police Professional staff in the United Nations Headquarters in New York as well as heading the Police components (Police Commissioner) in Ivory Coast (UNOCI) and South Sudan (UNMISS).

    RNP Emergency lines

    110: Maritime

    111: Fire and Rescue

    112: Emergency

    113: Traffic Accidents

    118: Traffic Police Queries

    997: Anti-Corruption

    3511: Abuse by Police Officer

    WhatsApp: 0788311155

    Twitter: @Rwandapolice

    YouTube: Rwanda Police

    Facebook: Rwanda National Police

    Instagram: Rwanda National Police

  • Body of newborn abandoned at Kayonza bus station

    Mukarange Sector Executive Secretary, Claude Murekezi, told IGIHE that the body was abandoned by an unidentified person who had brought it in an ‘Envelope’.

    Murekezi said that the body was immediately sent to Gahini Hospital for autopsy before burial.

  • Ecobank Transnational Incorporated holds 32nd AGM, shareholders approve resolutions

    Ecobank Group Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh said: “We are in the final lap of our five-year ‘Roadmap to Leadership’, having laid and achieved much improved business and operational foundations, leadership in digital products with scalability, strong corporate governance and continued expense discipline. We continue to focus on making substantial strides towards ensuring a return on equity above the cost of capital across the Group despite the challenging economic conditions especially with the COVID-19, whilst also maintaining our commitment to driving economic development and financial integration across Africa. This was my last AGM, as I have now completed my tenure as director and Chairman. As I retire, it has been a privilege for me to have served this great institution and I am particularly proud of what we have achieved. I am further assured and confident that my able successor as Chairman, Mr. Alain Nkontchou will continue to lead the Board in our journey to leadership. The world has its eyes on Africa, and we are positioning our Bank in a way that continues to ensure its commitment to, and development of the continent. I will remain a strong ambassador of this great institution and its ideals”.

    Ade Ayeyemi, Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group, said: “I must first and foremost, pay tribute to our outgoing Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, who has served the group diligently during his tenure. On behalf of Management, I extend our immense admiration for the invaluable stewardship, counsel, strategic expertise and oversight that he so willingly provided. I also seize the opportunity to congratulate and welcome on board our incoming Chairman Mr. Alain Nkontchou and look forward to working with him as he leads the Board. 2019 was a year of substantial progress for the Group on multiple fronts as we broadened our innovative product range with our upgraded core banking application platform, increased customer numbers, established new partnerships and initiated programmes to transform customer experience and embed the desired conduct, culture and ethics throughout the organisation. Each of our three business lines improved their profitability and positioned Ecobank for sustainable long-term success. Post-year end, the effectiveness of our digital ecosystem came into sharp focus amid the current global challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling us to provide seamless continuity of service to our customers. The virus is having devastating effects and is causing severe disruption to families, businesses and economies across our sub-Saharan footprint and we continue to provide our unwavering support in these unprecedented and extremely challenging circumstances.”

    Shareholders were pleased with ETI’s progress in 2019 and approved all the resolutions at the AGM, which included the election of two new directors – Professor Enase Okonedo and Mr. Simon Dornoo. Professor Enase Okonedo will replace Ms Arunma Oteh who has resigned from the Board.

    Shareholders also ratified the co-option of Mr. Deepak Malik, a nominee of Arise B.V, Ms. Zanele Monnakgotla, a nominee of Public Investment Corporation and Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, the representative of Ecowas Bank for Investment & Development as directors,

    The mandates of the firms – Deloitte & Touche, Nigeria, and Grant Thornton, Côte d’Ivoire as Joint Auditors were renewed.

    The AGM was followed by an Extraordinary General Meeting at which Shareholders voted for the cancellation of the resolution on the consolidation of shares earlier approved on June 17, 2016.

    Shareholders also voted for the amendment of Articles of ETI including a provision for the option of electronic general meetings going forward.
    Ecobank Transnational Incorporated holds 32nd AGM, shareholders approve resolutionsFor the first time in the history of ETI and in line with preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19,The leading pan-African bank with banking operations in 33 countries, held its 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Extraordinary General Meeting in Lagos, Nigeria, this week.

  • USAID, Government of Rwanda sign five year Rwf 605 billion development commitment

    The commitment—detailed in a document called a Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)—was signed at the offices of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning by USAID/Rwanda Mission Director Ms. Leslie Marbury and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana.

    In partnership and alignment with the Government of Rwanda development priorities, the DOAG directly links to the three pillars of Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation 1: Economic Transformation, Social Transformation, and Transformational Governance. An integral part of the funding, as well as USAID’s long standing support to Rwanda, is support to help combat global pandemics like COVID-19 and support the economy from negative effects caused by pandemic-related disruptions.

    “With this funding, the United States maintains its commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Rwanda as it works to achieve its own goals,” said USAID’s Mission Director Leslie Marbury at the signing.

    “This support to Rwanda by the United States Government will prioritize Health, education, private sector growth, and governance which are key areas of our National Strategy for Transformation (NST1). It is much relevant and equally important in implementation of our COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery Plan”. said Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning

    USAID works closely with the government, civil society, the private sector, and communities to build on decades of progress and advance Rwanda’s self-reliance. The goal of the partnership is to strengthen human capital, foster a robust private sector, and build accountable institutions.
    The Government of Rwanda and the United States Government signed a five-year agreement to commit 605 Billion Rwandan Francs to Rwanda’s development efforts.