Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The deceased include two men from Kigali respectively aged 42 and 78 , 73-year old man from Gicumbi district and another man aged 55 from Kirehe district.

Among others, 107 new cases have been found out of 2345 sample tests while 87 have recovered.

The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali:85, Gicumbi :14, Huye:3, Rubavu: 2, Ruhango: 1, Nyanza: 1 and Kirehe:1.

Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient in March 2020. Since then, 8567 people have been tested positive out of 735,467 sample tests of whom 6685 have recovered, 1784 are active cases while 98 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 body of the woman suspected to have committed suicide was found on the New Year’s Eve.

The executive secretary of Kagano sector, Jerome Niyitegeka has said that investigation is underway to establish cause of her death.

“The woman is from Rushonde village. In most cases, people are found dead on Lake Kivu after committing suicide. She was seen alive in the same morning and later found dead on the lake. She is suspected to have committed suicide but investigation is underway to establish the truth,” he explained.

Last month, a man’s body was found in a sack on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rusizi district.

Brig. Gen. Mutasem Aljadid Almajali, who is also the UNMISS Deputy Police Commissioner, made the remarks recently, while meeting and interacting with officers under Rwanda Formed Police Unit Two (RWAFPU-2) deployed in the capital Juba.

He said that his interaction with different Rwandan contingents that previously served in UNMISS, has given him confidence on their commitment and selfless service.

He urged the contingent members to strive to work collectively, focus on the mission mandate and tasks expected of Formed Police Unit officers.

“In my interactions with Rwandan officers, I know you as disciplined, committed and focused officers… you don’t talk too much but work too much,” remarked the Deputy Police Commissioner.

He hailed their posture and morale and likened the situation to good contingent leadership at the unit level.

Earlier on, the Brig. Gen. had a closed meeting with RWANFPU-2 commanders. During the meeting, the Contingent Commander briefed him on the contingent readiness, performed mandated duties as well as operation challenges faced by the unit.

The acting Police commissioner challenged them to identify tasks and think about how their operations and performance would be affected during this COVID-19 period.

He strongly emphasized the tight measures to prevent catching or spreading the pandemic and asked the contingent commander to implement all mission directives towards curbing the virus.

Brig. Gen. Mutasem briefed the officers about the changing mission dynamics and the evolving political situation in the country.

The new mission dynamics include the redesignation and reconfiguration of the protection of civilian sites (PoC), which have since been turned into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Last October, an operation coordination agreement was signed between UNMISS and South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), empowering the local police service to assume primary responsibility for the protection of all citizens.

The agreement signed between UNMISS Police Commissioner, Unaisi Lutu Vuniwaqa and General Majak Akec, Inspector General of SSNPS, provides an overarching framework delineating the roles and responsibilities of UNPOL and SSNPS in terms of policing activities within and around these camps.

These activities include responding to sexual and gender-based violence and other criminal acts.

This will ensure a combined effort to protect displaced civilians through coordinated security patrols and information-sharing.

The implementation of the MINUSCA funded project worth US$50, 000 was rolled out in July 2020 to construct boreholes in one of the most affected areas of Ngongonon Two, Ngongonon Four and Galabadja Four, all in the 8th Arrondissement.

The clean water project was developed under the mandate of “protection of civilians.”

Today, beneficiaries attest to how the project has impacted their lives.

“I thank Rwanda Police for all the good they have been doing for us. Before, we were facing many challenges including shortage of clean water; now we have clean water and this has improved our welfare,” said one resident.

Another resident expressed her gratitude to the Rwandan police peacekeepers for their social and human security programmes.

“I am very grateful to Rwanda police because they came to our country to give us peace, but they also do many other social activities that improve our wellbeing. For example, when they arrived, we were experiencing many problems such us lack of clean water, which they gave to us,” she said.

Rwandan Police peacekeepers have operated in the capital Bangui since 2014, when the first contingent was deployed under MINUSCA.

Today, Rwanda maintains three Police contingents in CAR; two FPUs and a Protection Support Unit (PSU), each composed of 140 peacekeepers.

FPUs are charged with crowd control, conduct patrols, protection of people in Internally Displaced Camps and escort duties, among others.

The PSU is particularly in charge of security for CAR Prime Minister, MINUSCA Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and other high profile government and UN officials as well as other special duties assigned under Joint Task-Force Command.

“First and foremost, when we are deployed here, we come as ambassadors of our country, families and the UN,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Safari Uwimana, the contingent commander of RWAFPU-1.

According to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Valence Muhabwa, the commander of PSU, Rwandan peacekeepers have values that define and guide them.

“We strive for professionalism and always ready for sacrifice where neccesary; we love what we do. Above all, we serve in the name of our country and push to make it proud in all we do wherever we are. That is what helps us to properly fulfill our responsibilities in addition to the training we received,” CSP Muhabwa said.

During the December 27, elections in CAR, Rwandan Police peacekeepers were charged with protection of polling stations and election materials.

{{Gender in peacekeeping}}

At least 30 percent of Rwandan peacekeepers around the world are female, including a female-dominated Formed Police Unit (FPU) serving under the UN Mission in South Sudan.

The deployment of female Police officers to peace support operations also reflects how further Rwanda responds to international peace in the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that stressed the important role women can play in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

According to Chief SGT. Clarisse Uwimana, one of the Rwandan female peacekeepers serving under MINUSCA, Rwanda’s deliberate promotion of gender equality has boosted her confidence and abilities as a woman.

“I am proud of that fact and therefore I strive to continue fulfilling the responsibilities I am charged with so that my country can be proud of our comtribution and acheivements as women,” said CSGT Uwimana.

SGT Christine Sifa is another female officer deployed under MINUSCA.

“I am a nurse and try my best to perfect my responsibilities to make my country proud and to hoist our national flag high,” said Sifa.

The UN resolution calls for more women in decision-making positions, a gender perspective to be “mainstreamed” across peacekeeping, and for more women to participate in field operations as police and as human rights observers.

The deceased include two men from Kigali respectively aged 73 and 81.

Among others, 77 people have been tested positive out of 2986 sample tests while 56 have recovered.

The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali:22, Huye: 22, Musanze:24, Kamonyi:3, Rubavu:7, Rusizi:7, Kayonza:2i, Ruhango:1, Nyamagabe:1, Gakenke:1, Kirehe:1, Gicumbi:1.

Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 8460 people have been tested positive out of 733 122 sample tests of whom 6598 have recovered, 1768 are active cases while 94 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.

RNP has revealed via twitter account that Karegeya is detained at Kibeho Police Station while investigation is underway.

The project to build 22,505 classrooms and 31, 932 latrines was launched in June this year to reduce overcrowding and long walk for some students to reach schools.

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) recently announced that 1,279 of 4,155 corruption cases recorded since 2018 were crimes related to public funds misallocation.

Embezzling public funds is a crime that is now classified under corruption.

The article 12 of Law N°54/2018 of 13/08/2018 concerning the fight against corruption indicates that whoever misusing public funds in public or private institution, commits a crime. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to a sentence not more than seven years and fine not more than Rwf 5 million.

The suspected thieves are identified as Joseph Twagirayezu, Emmanuel Niyokwizerwa and Japhet Mugiraneza.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that at about 5am on Wednesday, local security patrol–Irondo–while on duty, encountered a group of men with unidentified things, which they dropped down in an attempt to flee.

“Irondo personnel went after them and managed to apprehend two of them; Japhet Mugiraneza and Emmanuel Niyokwizerwa. When they searched the luggage they had dropped they found a synthesizer, an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals; two mixers, two wireless microphones, a wall clock and two mats,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

He added that following the arrest of the two suspects, they disclosed that they stole the items from Eagle Evangelical Ministries, where the third suspect, Joseph Twagirayezu was also arrested.

Twagirayezu is a security guard at the church, who allegedly connived with Mugiraneza, Niyokwizerwa and others who managed to escape.

“The three arrested suspects have been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Nyagatare station but the search for their accomplices is still underway,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

In article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf 1 million and not more than Rwf 2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.

However, in article 167, the penalty doubles if the theft was carried out by more than one person or at night

The deceased include two women aged 38 and 40 as well as four men respectively aged52, 57, 62 and 71 from Kigali.

Among others, 173 have recovered while 133 new cases have been found out of 4332 sample tests.

The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 97, Musanze: 24, Rubavu: 6, Huye: 3, Muhanga: 2 and Kamonyi: 1.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus patient on 14th March last year. Since then, 8383 people have been tested positive out of 730 136 sample tests of whom 6542 have recovered, 1749 are active cases while 92 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.

RMT Energy development Ltd is a subsidiary of Rwanda Mountain Tea , a company with ventures in tea plantations, processing, blending and packaging facilities in Rwanda.

The construction of Giciye III cost US$ 38 million.

Residents in neighborhood of the hydropower have welcomed the infrastructure expected to drive livelihoods transformations.

“I got employment during construction of the plant that I was able to feed and clothe my six children at school. I have also bought small livestock and garden from savings. With the completion of this power plant, our houses will be connected to electricity and run other income generating activities,” said Mutuyimana Gaudence.

Nsabimana Onesphore was also employed at the plant. As he said, Nsabimana made a good use of received income that he bought two cows, gardens and built a house.

The General Manager of Rwanda Mountain Tea Ltd and coordinator of construction activities at Giciye III, Kabeja Alain thanked the Government of Rwanda for providing investment opportunities in development projects.

“First of all, we voice appreciation to the Government of Rwanda under the stewardship of President Paul Kagame for providing investment opportunities in different sectors. We are ready to take advantage of it and tap into such opportunities without leaving behind interests of residents,” he said.

The CEO of Rwanda Energy Group (REG), Ron Weiss highlighted that the hydropower plant is a great contribution to Rwanda’s goal for universal electricity access by 2024.

The Governor of Western Province, Munyantwari Alphonse thanked RMT Energy for setting up the hydropower that will connect neighboring residents to electricity.

“In the past, we would launch hydropower plants producing 2 megawatts sometimes belonging to foreign companies. We considered it a great achievement. The plant reflects where our progress stands. Our thanks go to RMT Energy for the partnership additional to existing collaboration with tea processing plants,” he said.

Construction activities of Giciye III hydropower plant took 18 months since March 2019. RMT Energy will manage the plant for 25 years before handover to the Government as per agreements.

Giciye III is additional to more four hydropower plants built by RMT Energy development ltd including Giciye I and Giciye II generating electricity from River Giciye in Nyabihu district as well as two plants in Burera and Rubavu.

All these plants have a cumulative capacity to produce 20 megawatts.