Responding to their queries via twitter handle, Dr Sebaganwa explained that the schedule will be announced soon.
“Thank you for raising reasonable worries. The Ministry of Education and REB are making preparations that we will share reopening schedule in short time,” he said.
After the first Coronavirus patient was diagnosed in Rwanda in March 2020, the Government ordered the closure of all schools that saw all students returning home.
Universities and higher learning institutions were allowed to reopen in September 2020 under strict COVID-19 control measures.
In October 2020, the Ministry of Education announced 2nd November as the reopening date for learners in primary 5 and 6 classes. Students from ordinary level, senior 5 and 6 also resumed studies the same day.
The second batch started the second term on 23rd November 2020. This includes learners in primary 4 classes, and secondary school students from senior 1, 2 and 4.
The current MINEDUC timetable shows that students will start the third term on 19th March 2021 to end on 9th July 2021.
The second term’s holidays will run from 3rd April to 15th April 2021. Finalists in primary schools, ordinary level and senior six are expected to sit for national exams in July 2021.
Traders explain that extended curfew hours reduced time exhibitors and clients had to spend at the expo ground in Gikondo and some banned activities all reduced the propensity to buy.
Kalisa Umri who was showcasing decorative accessories explained that many buyers used to visit the expo after working hours but for this time would find grounds closed around 6pm.
“We were obliged to leave by the time clients usually visit the expo. It didn’t go well compared to the previous exhibitions. For instance, I paid Rwf 7 million for a stand expecting to get Rwf 10 million from sales but recovered Rwf 2 million only. This evidences how exhibitors experienced huge losses,” he said.
Manirareba Theophile, an employee at TECNO mobile also highlighted that the directive to close the expo at 6pm reduced clients’ participation and buying potential.
“Generally, there was minimal participation but those who got time to visit our stands left some coins. Things didn’t go well like the previous year but we understand the reasons considering the current context when Coronavirus has hit the world affecting many activities,” he said.
Entertainment activities were banned at the 2020 expo as part of COVID-19 preventive measures. Manirareba explained that such activities would attract large number of visitors coming with kids and later visited different stands to shop.
He said the directives also reduced expected number of visitors.
The spokesperson of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Ntagengerwa Theoneste said the federation should not be blamed for losses noting that some exhibitors made sales that they have started booking stands for the next edition.
“Based on feedback from exhibitors we spoke to, no one claimed huge losses that would push them to close down businesses. Only beer companies and others providing entertainment services were affected but we interacted with them that no one can attribute his loss to PSF. He/she might have earned minimal profits but without losses,” he said.
The 23rd International Trade Fair that ran runs from 11th to 31st December 2020 was attended by 382 exhibitors including 73 foreigners.
It was organized under strict COVID-19 control measures that banned the attendance of beer companies.
All expo goers were required to pay by digital means; children below 12 were not allowed to attend while physical entertainment activities were also prohibited as part of ongoing measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the project, FERWAFA seeks to equip between four and eight playgrounds with synthetic turf.
The development was communicated to members of the federation during a general assembly held on Sunday at Lemigo Hotel.
“We first had to get the model for playgrounds to be developed, and estimate the budget to get the real design of the project. We have already issued tenders and the master plan will be available in a few days ,” said FERWAFA Secretary General, Uwayezu François Régis.
“We have written to the management of Rutsiro FC, Gicumbi FC and Espoir FC to explain their role during the development of these playgrounds. These are among first pitches identified by FERWAFA to set up modern playgrounds,” added Uwayezu.
He explained that the main purpose is to develop many playgrounds without full dependence on FIFA budget but rather get more funding from partners of these teams.
“Discussions are on good progress. FIFA is ready to provide funding by the time we will submit a complete proposal of the project,” noted Uwayezu.
The decision to develop 10 playgrounds across the country at a cost of Rwf 2 billion was taken during FERWAFA General Assembly held on 5th May 2019 in Musanze.
FERWAFA has decided to inject funds into this project to implement FIFA Forward 2.0 initiative aimed at promoting football whereby US$ 2 million (almost Rwf 2 billion) donated by FIFA will cater for the upgrading of playgrounds.
FERWAFA seeks to spend Rwf 1.96 million to cater for development of playgrounds in 2021 budget. The federation wants 40% of the budget covered by partners of selected football teams.
The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) recently announced that students will be subject to some conditions including rotation of courses, reducing study time to avoid overcrowding as part of ongoing measures to prevent spread of Coronavirus pandemic.
Students at Kagarama Catholique have told Rwanda Television that rotation system might affect their performance during national examinations.
“Studying in shifts, given a large number of students and shortage of classrooms, affects us as we prepare for national examinations. It is disrupting courses and timetable,” said Munezero Kevin.
Other students explained that they study in haste that teachers sometimes forget to catch up suspended course units.
The Acting Director General of Rwanda Education Board (REB), Dr Sebaganwa Alphonse explained that studying five hours is normal and aligns with prepared timetable.
“Weeks of the academic year are counted taking into account minimal hours students should spend in class to cover the entire curricula. That is five hours. We have no students spending below three hours. It is better to stay in class for more than five hours because students use that time to revise and do many exercises,” he said.
“It is clear that everyone stands chance to win, but depends on teacher’s performance. However, studying on rotational basis is recommended as per current plan,” added Dr Sebaganwa.
Students from senior 3 and 6 are expected to sit for National exams in July 2021.
On Saturday around 4 am, gunfire was heard in the northern part of Bangui capital city as rebel groups attacked Damara county, 76 kilometers away from Bangui.
It is reported that rebels attacked Damara town in the wee hours, confronted CAR forces which failed to repel them back until nearby RDF soldiers intervened and killed some of them.
CAR Defense Minister has revealed that many attackers lost lives but did not precise the exact number. IGIHE has learnt that over 30 attackers were killed on ground while 2 of CAR soldiers died during the attack.
Following an hour of fighting, the rebels were defeated that the situation returned to normal and brought calm in the region.
CAR Defense Minister, Koyara has thanked the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame for commitment to secure CAR citizens against attackers who wanted to kill them and disrupt elections.
“As you know, our military is rebuilding. With fast response, this partner country [Rwanda] through existing agreements, committed to help fellow soldiers to protect civilians. I can’t find enough words to explain gratefulness except vote of thanks, voicing appreciation to President of the Republic and Rwandans for the act of humanity that other African countries should learn from,” she said.
Minister Koyara explained that existing forces serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) were not enough compared to the enormity of the country that pushed for the need to request reinforcement among countries including Rwanda.
“You know that MINUSCA has over 10,000 peacekeepers, the country has a total land area of 627,000 square kilometers and our military is rebuilding. This is a good opportunity to let you know that some sanctions against CAR military are still valid. The military without enough equipment cannot protect its citizens adequately,” she noted.
Koyara revealed that MINUSCA forces alone cannot secure the country alone considering its vastness yet there is a presence of rebel armed groups across its borders and the fact that neighboring countries are engulfed by political chaos or experienced it recently , thus worsening the situation.
As she said, leveraging agreements with partner countries was the option to deal with the situation with emergency.
“It is under that context that we tapped into such cooperation agreements whereby we sought support from Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC). Lucky enough, Rwanda was the first country to provide support. You have witnessed that despite the presence of MINUSCA, we need support from Rwanda friends to repel armed groups’ attacks,” explained Koyara.
Serving with the example of recent Saturday attack, Koyara highlighted that rebels would not be defeated without support of Rwanda’s soldiers.
“Damara is a prestigious town to us. With the support of Rwanda’s soldiers and other forces reinforcing national troops, we repelled back the enemy,” she said.
“It is a victory to our troops and forces from Rwanda who rushed to support our military still subject to sanctions amidst heavy duties to protect the nation and civilians,” added Koyara.
He explained that many attackers lost lives even though two CAR soldiers lost lives during the fight.
“The enemy was immensely shaken that tens of attackers lost lives during the fight. This should leave a lesson to such groups to stop intentions to destabilize the country seeking to restore peace,” said Koyara.
MINUSCA has 12,870 peacekeepers of whom 11,650 are soldiers.
Rev. Karangwa was arrested in October 2019 on allegations of using forged documents as he submitted application for the position of deputy ADEPR spokesperson in 2017 which required qualifications of a Bachelors degree.
Rev. Karangwa submitted presented two degree certificates from Philippines and Uganda. He was later suspected to have forged the said documents and arrested.
Rev Karangwa denied the charges claiming that he studied in Philippines and provided evidence that included names and picture of classmates obtained from Google.
Prosecution requested court to reject the evidence explaining that they were not certified by a competent organization.
During the hearing of 10th June 2020, prosecution requested the court to sentence Rev Karangwa for seven years and a fine of Rwf 5.
On 30th June 2020, Nyarugenge Intermediary Court acquitted Rev Karangwa. The court ruled that there were no enough evidence pinning Rev Karangwa for forgery.
The deputy spokesperson who had spent eight months in Nyarugenge prison in Mageragere was released and resumed work in ADEPR but the prosecution immediately appealed for the decision.
Following the appeal, Nyamirambo High Court, recently on 31st December 2020 also ruled that Rev Karangwa is innocent.
The ruling was read in absentia of the accused who was represented by relatives.
Speaking to IGIHE, Rev Karangwa thanked Rwanda’s judicial system for making unbiased decisions.
“We voice appreciation to national judicial system for having done what it could to come up with impartial judgement,” he said.
Rev Karangwa explained that there were people behind his arrest intended to tarnish his image.
Rev Karangwa advised Rwandans and ADEPR Christians to love each other and shun hatred.
“People should not tarnish others’ reputation or seek to get them killed for the sake of leadership positions. I would like to tell ADEPR Christians that justice has prevailed,” he said.
Rev Karangwa and the executive committee (to which he belonged) led by the spokesperson Rev. Karuranga Euphrem were recently retired from active service during recent reforms by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to put an end to mismanagement that has characterized ADEPR.
The deceased include two men from Kigali respectively aged 67, 75 and another 51-year old man from Huye.
Among others, 109 new cases have been found out of 3318 sample tests while 67 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 64, Musanze: 20, Rubavu: 12, Nyamasheke: 4, Gicumbi: 3, Kamonyi: 3, Huye: 2 and Burera: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March last year. Since then, 8676 people have been tested positive out of 738, 785 sample tests of whom 6752 have recovered, 1823 are active cases while 101 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.
Eliab Ibyimana, 40, and Florien Mugenzi, 34, were found in possession of six forged traffic documents, including four transport authorisation permits normally issued by Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA) and two motor-vehicle inspection certificates issued by the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Automobile Inspection Centre to roadworthy vehicles.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonavanture Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that a resident provided information about a man, who had counterfeit traffic related documents.
“In response to the information, Police first arrested Aliab Ibyimana with the six forged documents. Ibyimana later disclosed that he got the fake papers from Mugenzi Florien to deliver them to motorists,” CIP Karekezi said.
According to Ibyimana, Mugenzi would forge the documents and bring them to him to deliver them to owners of vehicles and drivers.
The documents indicate that they were issued in December 2020.
“Two forged transport authorisation permits were for public service vehicles while two others were meant for special hires. They barred a forged signature of one of the officials in RURA. The two automobile certificates, which indicated that they were issued at Huye imspection centre, were also for two special hire vehicles”
All the vehicles in question; RAB 889W, RAB 990V, RAB 696K and RAB 680V, were also impounded.
CIP Karekezi thanked the residents, who unearthed and reported the criminal acts. He warned of increased operations against drivers and vehicles with forged documents.
“It is both criminal and life-threatening acts because these vehicles indicating that they are roadworthy can kill people due to mechanical faults.”
The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Bugarama station.
Article 276 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, states that “any person who, in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations commits an offence.
Any person, who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not more than seven years and a fine of not less than Rwf 3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.”
The penalty also applies to any person, who knowingly makes use of a forged document in any way.
The latest was held 20th December 2020. Today’s physical exercise is the second since the City of Kigali issued new guidelines for the communal sports aligning with COVID-19 preventive measures.
These include stationing young volunteers at different roads to facilitate enforcement of preventive measures and moving car with speakers playing pre-recorded message reminding the public to adhere to health guidelines.
Among others, sportsmen were also urged to wear face masks, run slowly and discontinue morale songs lest they facilitate the formation of groups along the way.
As usual, vehicle movements have been blocked at different roads to ensure smooth exercise.
‘Car Free Day’ is among popular sports in Kigali city. It was the first public sports allowed to open following months of suspension to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Every first and third week of the month, people from all walks of life and different parts of Kigali City converge in the communal sports for different physical exercises.
Car Free Day started on May 29, 2016, aimed at helping Rwandans do sports for good health while at the same time benefiting from other activities like free testing and advice on how to prevent different diseases.
The exercise is also aimed at teaching and making people familiar with the fact that roads are not solely built for just vehicles but people as well.
Originated from the City of Kigali, the communal exercise is still suspended in other towns of the country as part of ongoing Coronavirus preventive measures.
This was during separate operations conducted jointly by the Police, local leaders and community policing groups on Friday, January 1.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the concurrent operations aimed at dismantling illegal distilleries, which produce illicit drinks.
“There were reports of increased production and consuption of muriture brew especially in the districts of Nyanza and Huye, which prompted the operations targeting specific homes and bars where they are reportedly distilled and sold,” said SP Kanamugire.
“In Nyanza District, about 1,120 litres were found in nine homes in Kigoma Sector and 135 litres in other four homes in Busoro Sector.
In Huye District, 545 litres of muriture were seized from different homes in the sectors of Rwaniro, Rusatira and Mukura,” SP Kanamugire said.
Other 385 litres were seized from three homes in Kibirizi sector in Gisagara District while 120 litres were also found in other three homes in Kamonyi District.
“These were targeted operations following information that these homes were either being used as distilleries or bars selling illicit drinks on New Year’s Day.
Although operations against illicit brew have been ongoing, this is the first time in the past few years that we have seized such big quantity in a single day,” the spokesperson explained.
He attributed the successful operations to residents, who provide information on distillers and sellers in their communities.
The spokesperson further advised distillers and sellers to channel their money into legal businesses rather than poisoning people with psychotropic substances and to prevent losses that come with imprisonment, financial penalties as well as disposing of the seized substances.
He reminded owners of bars that besides being criminal to distill, sell and consume illicit substances, it is also prohibited to operate bars in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic, to avoid further spread.
Illicit drinks are classified as simple drugs, under the Ministerial Order No.001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.
In article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, anyone convicted for simple drugs faces between seven and ten years in prison, and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Rwf10 million.
