In a statement released yesterday, Meteo Rwanda explained that reference was made to 10 days forecast from the period of 11th to 20th January 2021 showing above normal rainfall across the country compared to The Long Term Mean.
The aforementioned forecast further indicated that enhanced rainfall was predicted between 13th and 15th especially in Western part of Rwanda.
“Meteo Rwanda wishes to inform its esteemed stakeholders and end-users that enhanced rainfall is expected to extend up to 16th January 2021. Southwest of Southern Province and Western Province are expected to receive enhanced rainfall ranging between 20 to 55 mm per day during the next three days. Expected rainfall is resulting from moisture advection from Indian Ocean which led to increased moisture pattern over Rwanda,” the statement reads in part.
Due to accumulated rainfall and expected rains in three coming days, Meteo Rwanda has called for contingency measures to avoid likelihoods of negative impacts associated with increased rainfall especially in disaster prone areas.
Callixte Rwasubutare, 52, was arrested on January 12, in Rubona Cell, Nyambyumba Sector alongside his co-conspirator identified as Innocent Iranzi, 37.
According to the Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the duo was arrested after defrauding a local resident identified as Fabien Habiyaremye, of Rwf 20, 000.
“Rwasubutare and Iranzi somehow got to know that Habiyaremye had a relative detained at Nyamyumba Police station over assault. They contacted Habiyaremye with Rwasubutare introducing himself as the commander for Nyamyumba Police station. They asked for money so as to release his detained relative,” CIP Karekezi explained.
He added: “Habiyaremye first sent them Rwf10, 000; they told him it was not enough. He later sent them another Rwf10, 000 and waited in vain for the release of his relative. This is when he realized that he had been duped by fraudsters; he reported the alleged criminal act to law enforcement.
Rwasubutare and Iranzi were located and arrested, they admitted to the crime. Police also found mobile banking messages in one of the suspects’ phones indicating that they indeed received the money from Habiyaremye.”
CIP Karekezi warned against such criminal behaviors but further cautioned members of the public, who fall victim for attempting to take “criminal shortcuts.”
“Money does not release people taken into custody for a particular crime; the law does. The law punishes the person, who solicits a bribe and one that offers it. Anyone asking for money to render such a service is equally a criminal and should be reported and arrested,” CIP Karekezi said.
Impersonation, under article 279 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, attracts an imprisonment of between two and three years and a fine of between Rwf300, 000 and Rwf500, 000, while fraud is punishable under article 174, with an imprisonment of between two and three years and a fine of Frw3 million to Rwf5 million, upon conviction.
According to article 4 of the Law on Fighting Against Corruption, any person, who offers, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/herself or another person in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate, commits an offense.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years, with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit solicited or received.
Among others, 172 cases have been found out of 2173 sample tests while no recovery recorded.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 88, Huye: 33, Rwamagana: 15, Gicumbi: 12, Musanze: 6, Rubavu: 4, Nyagatare: 3, Muhanga: 3, Nyamasheke: 3, Burera: 2, Rusizi: 1, Karongi: 1 and Gakenke: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 10 122 people have been tested positive out of 773 448 sample tests of whom 6974 have recovered, 3020 are active cases while 128 have succumbed to the virus.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is deeply saddened by the death of a Rwandan peacekeeper serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), following an attack on 13 Jan 2021 by elements of an armed group opposed to the peace process,” reads in part RDF statement.
“The RDF expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen peacekeeper. RDF peacekeepers remain committed to the protection of civilians within the mandate of MINUSCA, and the other peacekeeping missions under which our troops serve,” adds the statement.
Apart from the deceased, another Rwandan peacekeeper was slightly wounded during the attack.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has also called for action to ensure accountability for the coordinated assaults near the capital, Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) that left a Rwandan peacekeeper dead and another wounded.
The UN mission in the country, MINUSCA, reported that some armed elements were killed, while others were arrested and weapons seized.
“The Secretary-General recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime,” his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement.
Vladimir Monteiro, MINUSCA spokesperson, said in a statement that the attack was repelled by the peacekeepers, together with the Central African armed forces.
“MINUSCA strongly condemns the attacks by the anti-Balaka, UPC, 3R and MPC coalition armed groups and their political allies, including former President François Bozizé,” he said.
“The Mission holds them responsible for the consequences of this violence on the civilian population and stresses that attacks against peacekeepers can be considered as war crimes and prosecuted.”
The Secretary-General also expressed concern over continued destabilization efforts by armed groups in the CAR.
He called on all parties to stop violence and engage in meaningful dialogue, and underlined the UN’s commitment to ongoing peace efforts.
Rwanda Defence Force is one of the largest troop contributors to MINUSCA since 2014.
China-Africa cooperation features an early launch, rapid progress, various fields, heavy investment and fruitful results, Wang said in an interview with the People’s Daily as he concluded on Saturday his visits to five African nations, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles.
In its cooperation with Africa, China always follows the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, he said.
China, he added, has consistently done more good deeds and delivered more tangible results for the wellbeing of the African people while respecting and listening to Africa in line with Africa’s needs and interests.
Meanwhile, the Asian country never attaches any political strings and never interferes in Africa’s internal affairs, which is welcomed by African countries, Wang said.
According to the Chinese foreign minister, China has built over 6,000 km of railways and roads respectively, nearly 20 ports and over 80 large electric power facilities, and constructed over 130 medical facilities, 45 stadiums and over 170 schools across Africa. Also, China has sent 21,000 medical workers to 48 African countries and treated about 220 million African patients.
Noting that the tangible achievements of China-Africa cooperation have blossomed everywhere on the African continent, which have met Africa’s needs and improved the African people’s livelihood, Wang said it is undeniable that China-Africa cooperation is a well-deserved leading endeavor in international cooperation with Africa.
The international community has a shared responsibility to support Africa’s development, Wang said, adding that instead of playing a zero-sum game, China welcomes all parties of the international community to increase input in Africa, leverage their respective strengths and form effective synergy.
Noting that China-Africa cooperation has never been closed or exclusive, Wang said China stands ready to actively promote tripartite or multi-party cooperation with Africa, so as to jointly play a constructive role in promoting peace and development in Africa.
Africa should be a big stage for international cooperation, not an arena for competition between major countries, he added.
The man born in 1975 resides in Muyumbu sector, Rwamagana district of Eastern Province but runs businesses of selling African print wrappers in Kigali City. His merchandises imported from countries like China are wholesaled to different buyers across the country.
IGIHE has learnt that Kibyeyi has two companies registered to his names since 2016. These include Manual Trading Ltd and Imani textile Ltd but has six more companies which he registered to other persons including domestic workers.
He was heard in tax fraud cases at different times that Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) seized his goods in October last year for failure to pay taxes.
At the time, RRA seized 585 bales of made in China African print wrappers worth Rwf 4.3 billion.
The man is said to have opened six companies including two registered to potters, two registered under the names of his domestic workers, one registered to his wife and one registered to his aunt.
He is reported to have used identities of these workers which he presented to start companies in Rwanda Development Board (RDB) without informing owners. Kibyeyi imported goods on behalf of these companies but didn’t pay taxes.
IGIHE has established that one of his companies dubbed ‘Baze Company Ltd’ opened in 2019 was registered to a potter in Quartier Matheus, a commercial center in Kigali City.
The company owes Rwf 188 million taxes to the Government, an amount of money the potter has never possessed.
Nsengimana Martin, 33, is a potter who used to seek job from Kibyeyi. He is considered a business owner since Baze Company Ltd was registered to his names since 22nd October 2019.
“We knew each other as a boss and potter. We didn’t have special friendship. He would ask me to go with him or unload something from his car. I was not aware that Baze Company Ltd is registered to my names until RRA staff came to me. I hardly find food, but was surprised to be shown that I am registered owner of the company. I refused it,” he said.
Nsengimana has told IGIHE that Kibyeyi once asked for his identity card and took a photo of it without telling Nsengimana the reason.
“I used to ask him a job because he is a magnate businessman. He once asked me my identity card. He took its picture and returned it to me. He never gave me further details and I respected him as a boss,” explained Nsengimana.
After learning the company was registered to his names, he sought RRA support to get it unregistered to him.
The spokesperson of Rwanda investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr Murangira B. Thierry has confirmed that Kibyeyi was arrested on 11th January 2021.
“The accused is detained at Kimihurura RIB station. He is investigated for two crimes including illegal acquisition of another persons’ item and identity fraud,” he said.
Dr Murangira has explained that his files will be transferred to the prosecution in due course.
RIB has revealed that investigation has been launched against more business persons involved in tax fraud noting that people should stand against such vice lest they are held accountable.
The event geared towards is organized under the theme “Rwanda, my identity and my future”. It will take place on Saturday 16th January 2021 from 3pm to 5pm (Swedish time) which will be 4pm in Rwanda.
The event will bring together Rwandan youth from Scandinavian countries including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland who will receive explanations on what being Rwandan means, what the country expects from them and core values that should characterize them.
Talks will feature the Minister of Youth and Culture Rosemary Mbabazi, Rwanda’s ambassador to Scandinavia, Amb. Christine Nkulikiyinka and Sangwa Rwabuhihi, a Rwandan diaspora who studied abroad but currently running business in Rwanda.
Speaking to IGIHE, Rwanda’s ambassador to Scandinavia, Amb. Christine Nkulikiyinka has said that the youth will be given floor to ask all questions of concerns so as to get deeper insights into Rwandan culture, gain further knowledge on Rwanda’s vision , learn how to play role in the country’s development and share ideas as well.
“We encourage all the youth wherever they are to come and take part as it does not require travel due to Coronavirus pandemic. The event will be held via online platforms and social media. So, it is easy to follow from anywhere. We encourage many to attend as we have a number of interesting topics on the agenda,” said Amb. Nkulikiyinka.
She explained that parents can also attend even though the focus was drawn to the youth.
The sacks smuggled into Rwanda from Burundi weighed 145kgs.
Those arrested include one Callixte Kayigire, 36, who had hired four others men to transport the smuggled goods.
Those hired to transport the goods are Gerard Uwihawe, 21, Pascal Muhire, 24, Eliazar Shumbusho, 22 and one only identified as Niyongabo.
The sixth suspect identified as Jean Paul Niyibikora, 24, is a member of the local community night patrol, who was allegedly facilitating the smugglers to beat security.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said the smugglers were intercepted at about 10pm in Rutobwe Village, which lies on the borderline with Burundi.
“It is suspected that Kayigire hired the four men to transport the sacks of clothes from the borderline with Burundi in Rutobwe village, where they met other people from Burundi, who brought the clothes,” SP Kanamugire said.
He added: “We have since identified that Kayigire was in constant phone contact with Niyibikora guiding them on safer routes to avoid being arrested. However, this hit a dead end because security personnel on patrol intercepted them before reaching their final destination.”
Meanwhile, Kayigire disclosed that he was also acting on behalf of one Innocent Hatangimana, the alleged owner of the smuggled clothes, a resident of Muhambara Cell, Cyahinda Sector in Nyaruguru District.
Kayigire and Hatangumana were on the list of suspected smugglers in Nyaruguru, according to SP Kanamugire.
He warned against such acts of smuggling, tax evasion, illegal cross-border and movements in prohibited hours.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Nyagisozi station.
Tax fraud
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
Among others, 166 new cases have been found out of 1937 sample tests while no recovery recorded.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 108, Huye: 18, Kirehe: 9, Rwamagana: 7, Nyagatare: 7, Rubavu: 6, Muhanga: 6, Nyamasheke: 3, Rusizi: 1 and Bugesera: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 9950 people have been tested positive out of 771 275 sample tests of whom 6974 have recovered, 2851 are active cases while 125 have succumbed to the pandemic.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The cooperative comprises of 55 farmers practicing agriculture on over 16 hectares using irrigation technologies under ‘Rwabicuma Project’ launched 2015.
Farmers say that ‘Diversity Venture Ltd’, a Kenyan company contracted to buy their produce did not pay Rwf 24 million worth of supplied produce, leading to the loss of chili in garden worth Rwf 78 million.
The company is locally represented by Mujawayezu Marie Immaculée.
Habimana Gérard, the president of ‘Jyambere Muhinzi Nyanza’ cooperative has told IGIHE that the contractor has only paid Rwf 2 of Rwf 24 million he owed them.
“He only paid us Rwf 2 million. Considering the unpaid balance and Rwf 78 million chili produce wasted in gardens, we count over Rwf 100 million losses,” he said.
Habimana has explained that agreements between the Kenyan company to buy produce were entered in August 2019 that supply started in February 2020.
“The contractor said she would pay in installments within two weeks and pay the rest on 30th August 2020. However, she only paid Rwf 2 million leaving the balance of Rwf 22,249,400 which she promised to pay upon return to take the remaining harvest. We ended up missing her that our produce was wasted in gardens,” he noted.
Habimana says the failed promise was made in May 2020.
Farmers appealed for support to different institutions including Nyanza district, National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and the delegation of parliamentarians visiting the cooperative in November 2020 but efforts remained futile.
One of members called Batamuriza Martha has told IGIHE that he has left the cooperative due to underperformance emanating from the loss.
“I got discouraged and no longer participate in the cooperative’s activities because the contractor didn’t pay us. I can’t afford further investments,” she said.
Other members of ‘Jyambere Muhinzi Nyanza’ cooperative have appealed on leaders to help them recover the debts and find the right market for their produce.
“We would appreciate if we get direct access to the market without supplying to the contractor. We also request for support to process chili produce before selling,” said Habimana.
The mayor of Nyanza district, Ntazinda Erasme, recently promised these farmers to address the problem in collaboration with NAEB.
“People owing debts to farmers were summoned to explain how they will clear payments. We scheduled a meeting next week after Christmas for farmers to get details on how they will get payments,” he said.
Towards the end of December 2020, the contractor wrote a letter promising to visit farmers in January 2021 to discuss how to make payments in installments.
IGIHE has tried to speak to Mujawayezu representing Diversity Venture Ltd in Rwanda for comments on farmers’ accusations but declined to take phone calls.
Mayor Ntazinda said that they are designing a project that will set up a factory adding value to farmers’ produce to avoid similar risks.
