Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Speaking at the launch of the new logo yesterday, the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, Hannington Namara explained that the new logo represents commitment to improve customers’ experience.

“We are aware that customers’ needs change gradually. We have today launched new logo as a precursor of new innovations we are set to bring to serve them better. As we have promised, we are going to make it easier for customers from outside Rwanda to get convenient services,” he said.

Namara explained that the development will be made possible by ‘One Equity’, a digital system enabling customers to self-serve access loans, deposit or withdraw or transfer money without necessity for physical presence at bank.

“We want customers to access our services and be able to transact with the bank anytime, everywhere,” he said.

Equity Rwanda’s previous logo symbolized a house as a place where services are offered. The one incorporates that physical presence at a bank is no longer a prerequisite but rather customers can access improved services with the ease of technology.

Having banked with Equity Bank for eight years, Kagabo Patrick, welcomed the gesture aimed at improving customer-satisfaction.

“I am delighted with the new logo. As a trader, I need fast convenient and updated services to complete transactions. Seeing the bank introducing innovations enabling us to pay digitally without leaving work places induces happiness and pride,” he said.

According to Namara, the new logo will be followed by reforms already into implementation as well as expanding branches and agents countrywide.

Having entered the local market in 2011, Equity Bank Rwanda has 14 branches, agents 1503, and 21 ATM machines across the country.

The facilities constructed at Groupe Scolaire Kaboza in Cyingwa cell of Gitambi sector were completed at a cost of Rwf 100 million on funding of the World Bank.

The mayor of Rusizi district, Ephrem Kayumba has explained that the inauguration of new classrooms is a great milestone despite faced challenges that delayed completion.

“Construction activities were delayed due to difficulties including rainy season that muds would stuck trucks transporting materials for three days along the way before reaching the area. Secondly, we experienced shortage of steels to make doors and glasses because construction activities were concurrently done at different schools. We have however handling the situation appropriately,” he said.

A total of 210 out of 754 classrooms under-construction in different sectors have been completed awaiting official inauguration.

The executive secretary of Gitambi sector, Iyakaremye Jean Pierre said that new classrooms will help students to attend to courses in favorable environment.

“We had a problem of overcrowding and old classrooms. The new facilities will help children to study in comfort, thus improving performance,” he noted.

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.

They are built on funding of the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda while citizens lend a hand through community work.

The ceremony held at Gikondo expo grounds yesterday was attended by representatives from awarded institutions only to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

BK Group Plc and its subsidiaries emerged the overall best exhibitor followed by the Development Bank of Rwanda (BDR) while Bonjour Hygien Products Ltd emerged the third.

The vice Chairman of PSF, Gishama Eric explained that the exhibition attracted larger number of participants than it was expected.

“We had 382 exhibitors including 78 foreigners. The participation is fair comparatively to this period of Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

The management of Bank of Kigali attributed the performance to team work and dedication that made it possible to render excellent services to all customers during the exhibition.

The Acting Chief Operations Officer at BRD, Iriboneye Jean Claude explained that decentralizing services helped them to engage with and satisfy customers.

“We revamped service delivery approach where interacted with all expo goers and dedicated enough time to explain our services paving the way for future partnership,” he said.

Among others, the owner of Holy Trust Ltd was awarded as the best young entrepreneurs, Pharmalab Ltd was awarded best women entrepreneurs while Inyange Industries received award as the best entrepreneur adding value to agricultural produce.

Prime Cement emerged the best factory, MTN awarded best telecommunication company, Milbridge Group (MG) Ltd awarded best innovator, Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) became best investment services provider while Turkey emerged the best foreign exhibitor.

PSF also recognized the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) as the best partner and encouraged Rwandans to keep promoting Made in Rwanda.

The 23rd International Trade Fair runs from 11th to 31st December 2020.

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.

Kagame revealed this is the end of year message dedicated to thank Rwanda’s Defense and Security Forces for their courage and wish them well to the New Year 2021.

“I appreciate your commitment to fulfill your duty and uphold our country’s highest values. The people of our country are worth fighting for and, if need be, making the ultimate sacrifice for,” he said.

The President emphasized that the beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and evaluation noting that this past year has been demanding.

He however said that the forces approached faced challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, with resilience, dedication, and excellence.

“Our nation is grateful for your service,” he said.

Kagame also sent a special word of appreciation to forces serving abroad in peacekeeping missions. He explained that it is not easy to be separated from family during the holiday period but thanked them for the sacrifices they make in defence of peace on the continent and beyond.

President Kagame concluded his message calling upon all forces to continue exhibiting the same discipline, confidence, and hard work for which Rwanda defence and security forces are known in the New Year.

“Protecting the well-being and security of Rwandans is your highest calling. You are among the best our country has to offer. Once again, I wish you and your families a very happy New Year 2021,” he said.

They were showed to the media at the Metropolitan Police headquarters in Remera, on Wednesday, December 30.

The ring include three suspected thieves; two civilians identified as Emmanuel Ndahimana and Omar Bayingana masquerading as ‘Afande’, who connived with a Police officer, Police Constable (PC) Hakim Ndagijimana to steal the lottery machines in different parts of the country.

Others are suspected buyers and seller of the stolen machines. They are Emmanuel Sikubwabo, the alleged ringleader, Jean Bosco Ndahiriwe, Moise Ndungutse and Adrien Sibomana.

So far, 19 slot machines allegedly stolen by the same ring have been recovered in City of Kigali. Some of them were yet to be sold and still in stores while others had been sold and were picked from different points where they were installed.

Police also impounded a vehicle, plate number RAE 165B, Toyota Rav4 type, which the suspects were using in their criminal operations.
Although Emmanuel Sikubwabo claimed that he was not aware that he was dealing in stolen slot machines, Emmanuel Ndahimana, one of the suspected thieves, narrated that the group was formed by Sikubwabo.

In the latest deal, Sikubwabo said that he bought eight slot machines for Frw700, 000 from Ndahimana, Bayingana and PC Ndagijimana.

Sikubwabo, Ndahimana and Bayingana are former employees of the Chinese company, which was selling the slot machines before it closed its business in Rwanda. Sikubwabo was the technician while Ndahimana and Bayingana were drivers.
“We were put together by Emmanuel [Sikubwabo] to find these machines, since we knew where they are. He was paying us Frw100, 000 for each machine we bring. We sold the idea to Ndagijimana (Police officer), which made it easier to confiscate these machines from different points under pretence that owners were using them illegally especially in this period, when gaming-related services were prohibited due to COVID-19,” Ndahimana narrated.

He added: “The Police officer in uniform would enter where these machines are, order us or other people found inside to confiscate and put the machines in the vehicle claiming that we were taking them to the sector or district offices for the violations. I do not remember how many we have stolen so far using the same trick, but they are many. I recall we took some from Mageragere, Nyacyonga, Bugesera and Nyagatare.”

According to investigations, tens of slot machines have been stolen in Kigali, Bugesera, Nyagatare, Gatsibo and Kayonza districts over the past five months.
Omar Bayingana, one of the suspected thieves, argued that his role was to look for a vehicle, transport the alleged thieves to identified points and transport the machines to the final destination.

“I was being paid Frw50,000 for each shift,” Bayingana said.

One of the victims, Aphrodis Ndagijimana, a resident of Bumbogo Sector in Gasabo District, said that at about 6:30pm on September 22, PC Hakim Ndagijimana appeared at his shop and immediately handcuffed him.

“He appeared from nowhere; put me in handcuffs without explaining anything. He later ordered me to open the room where I had kept two slot machines, accused me of operating gaming services illegally and told me to talk to afande (Omar Bayingana), who also declined to talk to me.

I tried to explain to him [Ndagijimana] that these machines were faulty and had not been in use for months, but he could not listen either. He told me they were impounding the machines to Bumbogo Police station, gave me a mobile line to pay Frw50, 000 for each of the two machines as fine, which I did not have,” narrated Ndagijimana.

When Ndagijimana went to Bumbogo Police station for follow up, he was told that there were no such operations. At the station, he met other victims and formal complaints were lodged.

RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that “these are criminals, who took advantage of the COVID-19 situation to steal from people who were either violating the directives or under pretext that they were using these slot machines illegally.”

“We have been investigating these series of theft for the past five months, and these are the results; these suspects were arrested in different parts of the country,” CP Kabera said.

On PC Ndagijimana, he said that the officer had a duty to protect people and their property, but instead acted contrary to his duty, and that he will be prosecuted like any other suspected criminal.

He, however, called upon the general public to desist from operating prohibited services, but added that no person with authority should also operate contrary in the name of enforcing the COVID-19 prevention directives, warning that such officials are also held accountable for any illegal or criminal actions.

The deceased include a 13-year old girl from Nyamasheke district; three men respectively aged 51, 60 and 63 from Kigali, a 62-year old woman from Kigali, a 61-year old man from Gatsibo district and another 66-year old man from Karongi district.

Among others, 122 have been tested positive out of 3409 sample tests while 30 have recovered.

The statement released last night shows that new patients were found in Kigali: 69, Gakenke: 18, Rusizi: 8, Rubavu: 7, Huye: 5, Nyamasheke: 4, Nyamagabe: 3, Muhanga: 2, Karongi: 2, Kamonyi: 1, Gatsibo: 1, Nyabihu: 1 and Nyagatare: 1.

Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020.

Since then, 8250 people have been tested positive out of 725,804 sample tests of whom 1795 are active cases, 6369 have recovered while 86 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 was first seen by children collecting firewood in the forest near the University of Rwanda, Huye campus who alerted residents.

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has started investigation to establish cause of the death. One of residents said the body had started rotting.

They suspected that the deceased person might be a potter called Cyuma who worked in Huye town.

The mayor of Huye district, Sebutege Ange has told IGIHE that investigation is underway.

“The dead person has not yet been identified but RIB has started investigation to establish the truth,” he said.

Huye residents appeal on officials to reinforce security at the road below the University of Rwanda, Huye campus where people have been reported killed or looted in the evening hours.

In December last year, another unidentified young man aged 27, was stabbed to death in the same area.

Sebutege explained that residents’ complaints are reasonable whereby several measures including the installation of lights on the aforementioned road are put in place to strengthen security.