Rwanda’s embassy in UAE has announced that the first batch of fruits from Rwanda were delivered on Saturday 9th January 2021. Rwanda signed agreements to export to Carrefour Hypermarkets last week.
Horticultural products to be exported to the market include passion fruits, avocado, bananas and pineapples.
After launching the market, Rwanda’s ambassador to UAE, Emmanuel Hategeka used his Twitter handle to thank the management of Carrefur for opening doors for Rwanda’s fruits and assured clients of high quality fruits from Rwanda.
“A big thank you to vice president Mr. Arnaud Bouf and the leadership Carrefour for opening the gates to Rwanda’s fresh products and thank you to the Rwanda community in Dubai for your presence and support today,” he said.
Carrefour hypermarkets are established across the Middle East and North Africa region. With shop floor space varying between 2,400 and 23,000 sq.m. per store, Carrefour’s Hypermarkets offer a wide selection of 20,000 to 80,000 food and non-food products.
Rwanda’s fruits will be traded at over 320 retail stores of Carrefour which records over 750,000 clients on daily basis.
Amb. Hategeka Emmanuel who also represents Rwanda to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia presented credentials to represent Rwanda in Bahrain in a virtual ceremony held yesterday on 10th January 2021.
After presenting credentials, he reiterated commitment to promote bilateral relations.
“Such a great honor for me to present my Credentials to H.E Dr. Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain as Rwanda’s Ambassador designate (non-resident).Our bilateral relations can only grow stronger. I am committed for stronger cooperation to promote interests of both countries’ people and ready to visit Bahrain when flights stabilize,” he said.
Amb. Hategeka is also expected to present credentials to the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Before appointment to represent Rwanda to UAE, Amb. Hategeka was the Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Rwanda, Bahrain relations is gradually getting boost highlighted by bilateral discussions between both countries’ officials.
In September 2020, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Vincent Biruta held talks with his counterpart of Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani that revolved around improving bilateral relations and cooperation to promote citizens’ interests.
Bahrain is among Arab countries recently allowed to invest in Rwanda’s tourism sector. Others include Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Among others, 169 people have been tested positive out of 2361 sample tests while 18 have recovered.
New cases were found in Kigali: 125, Musanze: 15, Rubavu: 11, Nyagatare: 6, Huye: 4, Rusizi: 3, Rulindo: 2, Nyanza: 1, Nyamasheke: 1 and Bugesera: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 9630 people have been tested positive out of 767,448 sample tests of whom 6974 have recovered, 2536 are active cases while 120 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.
Their actions are contrary to the government directives, which among others, prohibit social gatherings as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
The violators, all youth, came from different parts of Kigali.
The District Executive Administrator for Kicukiro, Solange Umutesi said that the the violations were reported by neighbours.
“Neighbouring residents, who understand the current situation and the directives called local authorities and Police reporting noise pollution. We went there and found the young boys and girls in the house drinking and dancing. Some of them were drunk,” Umutesi said.
She added that such young people should be guided against disregarding the health guidelines at the time when other youth are actively engaged in supporting national efforts against the spread of the pandemic through awareness and enforcement in markets, trading centres, bus stations and terminals.
The District Executive Administrator commended residents that reported the violations.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the house had been turned into a bar.
“Bars are still closed; turning your home into a bar or holding house parties is equally prohibited as one of the ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Police cannot be everywhere and in every home to enforce the directives but remember that whatever you are doing violating the directives, there are people who will report such inappropriate behaviours and actions, and you will be arrested,” CP Kabera warned.
When Police officers arrived at the house, it is said that they were abused by the violators.
CP Kabera said: “There are reports that these violators abused Police officers, who had come to enforce the directives. Abusing the authority is punishable by law and this will be investigated to authenticate the truth. If investigations prove that Police officers were actually abused, the accused will also be prosecuted as the law provides.”
He observed that such gatherings bringing people from different places are risky and can be source of COVID-19 spread.
The spokesperson warned the public against such risky practices and advised against unnecesary movement.
The violators will be educated on the health guidelines and other directives, but also fined for the violations.
IDEX and NAVDEX and the International Defence Conference are organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces. The events showcase the latest developments, technologies and innovations in the defence industry, support the development of the national defence sector and forge new relationships between major international companies.
The committee confirmed that both exhibitions and the accompanying conference will be held on schedule, without disruption. The events are attracting wide interest and participation by companies and delegations alike, as the final preparations are made. The committee aims to organise an exceptional edition during the economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and strengthen the position of Abu Dhabi as a leading regional leader in the business tourism sector.
The committee affirmed that official invitations have been sent to exhibitors and conference delegates and that confirmation of participation has been received from many official delegations from countries all over the world, in addition to decision-makers, experts and specialists from across the sector. The positive response confirms the pivotal position and role that both events play in the specialised defence sector and the status of the exhibitions at the regional and international level.
The committee emphasised that the UAE is an attractive and safe destination that welcomes visitors from all over the world, and is fully prepared to host the world again in Abu Dhabi. To facilitate exhibitors and visitors’ participation, a wide range of processes are being implemented. Additionally, a set of precautionary and preventive measures have been developed to ensure the health, well-being, and security of visitors and participants, in cooperation with ADNEC and all relevant authorities.
Additionally, the Naval Organising Committee of NAVDEX confirmed that a large number of naval vessels and boats from countries around the world will arrive in February, to be displayed at the ADNEC Marina during the exhibition. The Committee is currently finalising plans to launch a number of new naval vessels during the exhibition.
The Organising Committee of the International Defence Conference 2021 stated that it has completed the final list of conference speakers and participants to accompany IDEX and NAVDEX. The conference will be held as a hybrid event for the first time, bringing together experts and specialists from all over the world at the ADNOC Business Center and on-line, to discuss the Prosperity and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology and the Protection in the Era of the 4IR.
The upcoming edition of the International Defence Conference will highlight the key role that Abu Dhabi plays in advancing the global defence industries and the importance of international cooperation to find a formula for restructuring defence systems in the face of future challenges.
ADNEC has implemented a wide range of strict precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety of visitors and participants, in accordance with the highest global health and safety standards. Thermal scanners will be set at all entrances, sanitisation and disinfection procedures will be taking place throughout the day using fogging machines. All visitors and participants will be required to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test. In addition, social distancing measures and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) is being mandated across facilities.
{{About Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)}}
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.
ADNEC is a leader in managing and developing international strategic centres and was founded with a vision to become the leading destination for popular, high-profile international conferences, exhibitions and congresses in the Middle East and North Africa. It owns and operates the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the largest exhibition venue in the MENA region.
In addition, ADNEC also includes ExCeL London, Al Ain Convention Centre, Aloft London ExCeL, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, ADNEC Services LLC, Capital Hospitality, and IDEX LLC.
ADNEC Group is working on developing its network of companies and is on a mission to enhance business tourism in Abu Dhabi by creating a platform that enables event organisers to realise their goals of connecting people via world-class events and venues and delivering best-in-class services to exceed stakeholder expectations.
For more information, please visit: http://www.adnecgroup.ae
The UN Group of Experts (GoE) Midterm report dated 23rd December 2020, claimed that Rwanda sent troops for military operations in Eastern DRC.
In a statement released on Friday, Rwanda has explained that such allegations are unfounded.
“The Government of Rwanda refutes allegations from the UN Group of Experts (GoE) Midterm report dated 23rd December 2020, and reiterates that there were no Rwandan troops on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo and that there had been no recent Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) joint operations with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC),” reads the statement in part.
Rwanda enjoys cordial bilateral relations with the DRC, and there are several existing bilateral cooperation engagements, including military cooperation.
However, the statement further reads that, such cooperation is exclusively limited to intelligence sharing on various armed groups operating in Eastern DRC that are a common threat to both countries.
The Government of Rwanda also reiterated its commitment to promote national and regional natural resources governance mechanisms in the fight against illegal exploitation and trade of minerals in the region.
It is against this background, and in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, that in February 2020, during the last visit of the UN GoE to Rwanda, they were shown various anti-smuggling efforts in place, and witnessed minerals that had been seized by authorities.
“The Government of Rwanda regrets the shortcomings of the UN GoE report, and the lack of good faith demonstrated by the experts. Despite being granted access to various Government institutions, facilitated in meeting witnesses and provided with responses to all issues raised, the UN GoE report omitted key information and clarifications provided by the GoR,” adds the statement.
The Government of Rwanda has concluded by expressing its deepest concerns towards ‘the lack of rigor from the UN GoE in the fulfillment of its mandate, raising serious concerns about the independence of its reports’.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Julien Mahoro Niyingabira has told IGIHE that the new facility is not a replacement of existing COVID-19 treatment facilities.
“It is not a replacement but rather adds up to existing CVOID-19 treatment facilities. The hospital is uniquely designed that it will help us to attend to more patients compared to Kanyinya facility. As announced earlier, we are undergoing expansion to increase hospitals across the country so that patients can be treated at nearby health facilities,” he said.
According to Rwanda Biomedical Center, efforts of setting up other COVID-19 ICU treatment centers in all provinces are ongoing.
The main COVID-19 treatment center at completed Nyarugenge Hospital was opened yesterday after 42 private health facilities were granted authorization to test Coronavirus so that people tested positive countrywide can be attended to before the situation worsens.
IGIHE has learnt that the incident took place around 2:40 am on 9th January 2021 when police on patrol in Dusenyi village, Kagugu cell, Kinyinya sector of Gasabo district met two people carrying a 32 inches television of SONY brand.
These thieves include Nsengiyumva Alexis, 31, with identifications issued in Bugesera district while his fellow had no identifications.
Relevant institutions arrived to the scene and started investigations into the case.
Police always advises people not to confront police officers on duty to avoid unnecessary risks.
Upon arrival at M’poko airport in Bangui, the capital city of CAR; Dr Biruta was welcomed by his counterpart of CAR, Sylvie Baïpo Temon.
Commanders of Rwandan police and military forces in CAR peacekeeping mission were also present.
Dr Biruta was accompanied by Gen Maj Nzabamwita Joseph, the Secretary General of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
Later on, Dr Vincent Biruta held talks with CAR President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra at his office known as ‘Palais de la Renaissance’in the afternoon.
Rwanda and CAR enjoy cordial relations in different areas.
Rwanda is the 3th country with largest troops in United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with over 1389 police and military forces.
During the recent presidential elections held on 27th December 2021, Rwanda sent 300 military troops to reinforce security amidst rebel groups that want to disrupt polls.
Following elections, Touadera thanked Rwanda for contribution to ensure smooth elections.
He succumbed to complications stemming from COVID-19 which he had contracted in October 2020. The priest, who died at the age of 66, was renowned for divine healing prayers, psychiatric as well as unity and reconciliation initiatives.
At the beginning of 2020, Father Rugirangoga traveled to U.S.A for usual mission of spreading the gospel and healing prayers. He had to return in April, the same year but was stuck there as flight travels were suspended due to emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
As flights resumed, Father Rugirangoga caught the virus in October 2020. He recovered from the virus but later suffered from complications stemming from the disease until his demise.
He is said to have succumbed to lungs complications.
The Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese, Hakizimana Célestin who also oversees Cyangugu Diocese has told IGIHE that Father Rugirangiga belonged had read a mass at the hospital where he was admitted on 7th January 2021. It was his first mass after recovering from COVID-19.
Few hours later, caretakers called the brother of Rugirangoga (Révelien) telling him that his elder brother was critically ill. One hour later around 11pm of U.S.A time zone , Father Rugirangoga breathed the last.
IGIHE has spoken to Rugirangoga’s acquaintances who have described him as a kind person who strived for a peaceful society.
Father Rugirangoga has been a priest for 35 years.
His Eminence, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has said that he was with Rugirangoga by the time he read the first ever mass as he was ordained priest.
Cardinal Kambanda was ordained priest on 9th September 1990 by Pope Jean Paul II during a ceremony that took place at Nyandungu in Kigali. Kambanda read the first mass next day at Junior Seminary Saint Vincent de Paul.
Antoine Cardinal Kambanda has recounted great memories with Father Rugirangoga who attended his mass coming from Cyangugu Diocese where he was accomplishing his pastoral duties.
“The next morning on 10th September 1990, I read the first mass in presence of Father Ubald who had visited us. He was staying at the seminary given that I was living with his friend, a priest with whom they studied together [late Emmanuel Gasana],” he revealed.
After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Father Rugirangoga played a big role to Rwandan community in divine healing prayers that saw many recovering from incurable diseases and contributed to the country’s unity and reconciliation efforts.
“We have been liaised by the mission of promoting unity and peace and rebuilding Rwandan community. We have been particularly, working together at justice and peace commission in Rwanda’s Catholic Church,” he said.
“We are deeply moved on by his death. We still needed his contribution to this mission of uniting Rwandans. May his soul Rest In eternal Peace,” added Cardinal Kambanda.
The Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese, Bishop Hakizimana Célestin has said that Rwanda’s Catholic Church and Rwanda community loses an important person.
As he explained, Bishop Hakizimana also lived with Father Rugirangoga in Kigali shortly after Genocide.
“He used to say that we didn’t carry out our mission appropriately. Then, he started promoting unity and reconciliation journey in Mushaka Parish which was extended countrywide,” he said.
“We know that he used well his spiritual talent that he toured the entire country praying for patients some of whom fully or partly recovered. He was God’s gift to Rwanda,” added Bishop Hakizimana.
Ubald was the head priest at Mushaka Parish had requested his Bishop to be assigned in a parish where he could easily pray for mass public and help them along unity and reconciliation journey.
Bishop Hakizimana said, he appointed him to head the organization dubbed ‘Ikigo Ibanga ry’Amahoro’ (The Secret to Peace) located in Nkanka Parish, Rusizi district, Western Province.
“He had traveled to America for fundraising to upgrade activities of the organization. So far; a church and priests’ accommodations among other facilities have been set up at the center. He was a man of God who dedicated his life to provide psychiatric services, peace, unity and reconciliation,” he said.
The head priest at Mushaka Parish, Rwabugiri Siméon has also highlighted that he started living with Father Rugirangoga during internship.
“He was a humble person, treating everyone modestly and used to dedicate time for everyone with sufferings seeking his help,” he noted. “After Genocide, he has been uniting perpetrators and survivors and helped to mend members of the community involved in different disputes including poison accusation cases that yielded big,” added Rwabugiri.
Father Rugirangoga has prayed for many patients some of whom recovered from sight problems, HIV/AIDS, Diabetis among other incurable or hardly curable diseases.
He always attributed the healing to Jesus.
Speaking to IGIHE in 2015, Father Rugirangoga revealed that he started healing prayers in 1987 when he was a young priest. “Later in 1991, I started seeing visuals and hearing strange voices speaking to me. In the four previous years, I used to pray for people who would come to tell me that they have recovered,” he said.
Niyibizi Verena from Kicukiro district witnessed that he recovered from heart disease in 2015 after attending Ubald’s healing prayers. He had suffered from the disease for nine years that hospitals in Rwanda, Kenya, Belgium and Germany had failed him.
Father Ubald Rugiranoga was born in February 155 in former Rwabidege sector, Mwezi parish in Commune Karengera, Prefecture Cyangugu currently in Rusizi district. He was ordained priest in 1984 at the age of 29. He used to organize different gospel crusades in which many people healed from different diseases.
He has been a priest for over 32 years.
In 2015, Father Rugirangoga was selected Protector of Friendship Pact ‘Umurinzi w’Igihango’ for outstanding contribution to unity and reconciliation initiatives that started in Mushaka Parish and extended countrywide.
