The incident took place yesterday in Gatara village, Murwa cell, Kivuye sector of Burera district in Northern Province.
The mayor of Burera district, Marie Chantal Uwanyirigira has confirmed that the man died as he along with colleagues dug up sand in unlicensed sandpit.
“These men were digging up sand in hidden sandpit. It is said that they were doing the activity in a garden belonging to one of them. Unfortunately, one lost life as the sandpit collapsed leaving two others injured,” she said.
“We have reinforced measures against illegal mining even though some people do it behind backs. We advise them to seek license and do such activities openly lest they are exposed to fatal accidents,” added Uwanyirigira.
The body was taken to Butaro Hospital for postmortem while injured people were taken to Rusasa Health Centre for medical attention.
Superitendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that residents provided information about people, who sell illicit drinks and operate bars, which are also supposed to be closed in this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
“In response to this credible information, Police worked with grassroots leaders and local security personnel in concurrent operations that targeted specific bars where illicit drinks are sold. 690 litres of illicit brew were seized and some of the dealers arrested in the process, although there are other suspects who managed to run away,” SP Kanamugire said.
At least four suspected dealers were arrested in Gisagara with combined 300 litres; 40 litres of Muriture and 260 litres of Nyirantare. Distilling, selling and consumption of these substances in Gisagara is common in the sectors of Nyanza and Muganza.
Meanwhile, in Nyanza District, one of the arrested distillers identified as Claude Ntibizigirwa, 39, was found in possession of 280 litres of Muriture.
SP Kanamugire said that Ntibizigirwa was at the time processing the substances to produce another illicit crude gin locally known as Kanyanga.
The seized psychotropic substances were disposed of.
“Distilling and selling these substances could also be the source of COVID-19 spread, especially when people meet in one place, no social distancing and share containers. Bars are closed in this period but also selling illicit brew is criminal and punishable by law.”
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, upon conviction, and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Frw10 million.
Rwanda is among countries with military and police forces in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). On Thursday last week, Rwanda deployed 300 peacekeepers to reinforce security during elections that took place on Sunday 27th December 2020.
They were additional to force protection troops that the Government of Rwanda deployed to CAR one week ahead of polls under an existing bilateral agreement on defense.
They were sent after President Faustin-Archange Touadéra accused former president of the country, François Bozize of planning a coup-plot to dethrone the Government in collaboration with armed rebels. Tensions rose after Mr Bozizé’s candidacy for this week’s national elections was rejected by the country’s highest court.
President Touadéra sought support from partner countries including Rwanda which deployed more troops with the mandate to reinforce electoral security and protect existing troops.
Speaking to the media after elections yesterday, Touadéra thanked Rwanda and President Paul Kagame for contribution to restore peace in the country.
“”I thank President Paul Kagame, Government of Rwanda, and Rwandans for their support to secure electoral process which allows nationals to freely choose their leaders. Many thanks for the great support,” he said.
On Election Day, Rwandan troops were deployed on different streets and polling stations in Bangui (capital city of CAR) standby to protect voters against security disruptions.
It has however been reported that said, rebels opened gunfire in some areas trying to scare away voters. There are concerns that a substantial number of the 1.8 million registered voters in the country were not be able to vote in remote towns, some controlled by armed rebels.
After a slow start and sporadic gunfire in some towns, the head of the U.N. mission in the country, Mankeur Ndiaye said in a statement that there was a huge turnout but did not provide details.
“This morning, they (rebels) started firing, hoping to scare people away from voting. Yes, in certain areas, it is difficult but in many other areas, you can see people going out massively to vote,” he said.
President Paul Kagame recently explained that RDF new forces deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR) assume different functions whereby they will safeguard existing troops in peace keeping mission and civilians. He however explained that the forces will defend themselves in case rebel armed groups in the country plot attacks against the new forces.
The deceased are two men from Kigali respectively aged 61 and 96 . Among others, 153 new cases have been found out of 2502 sample tests while 62 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 39, Huye: 103 (from Huye prison), Musanze: 4, Kayonza: 2, Rubavu: 2, Gicumbi: 1, Burera: 1 and Nyagatare: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 7970 people have been tested positive out of 716 933 sample tests of whom 6289 have recovered, 1607 are active cases while 74 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.
IGIHE has learnt that Muvunyi has been arrested along with Rtd Col Ruzibiza Eugène who once served as the RDF 307 Brigade commander in Western Province; Niyongamije Gérald, the executive secretary of Gasura cell in Karongi district and another resident, Kayigema Félicien.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Acting spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr Murangira B. Thierry has confirmed their arrest.
“They were arrested on 24th December 2020 for allegedly using forged documents,” he said.
Dr Murangira explained that investigation is underway for deeper insights into the case.
Paul Muvunyi is a businessman with ventures in hotels.The executive secretary of Gasura cell in Gishyita sector where the businessman owns Kivu Safari Lodge is one of suspects arrested with him. The facility was inaugurated in 2016 at a cost of Rwf 1.2 billion.
This was during a security operation against illegal mining in Musange conducted on December 24.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the quartet was reported by a resident of Munini village whose land was being destroyed by illegal miners.
“Recently, a resident reported a group of people, who locked him inside his house at night, went to his land and started digging in search for minerals. In the following days Police and local authorities arrested some of them with 49kgs of cassiterite mineral,” said SP Kanamugire.
“In the night of December 24, residents called security organs after seeing a group of men in the same land mining. In response, the four men were arrested in the process. Mining is a regulated activity conducted in authorised areas by licensed people adhering to the law,” the spokesperson said.
The arrested illegal miners were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Musange station.
Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that; “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence commits an offence.”
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
Police spokesperson, John Bosco Kabera has said that these accidents include one in Rwamagana where an over-speeding vehicle hit dead a pedestrian crossing the road.
Another accident took place in Karongi district where a tire fell from a moving heavy truck and hit dead 11-year old child. In Kamonyi district, a cyclist was hit dead by a car which has not yet been identified.
Another fatal accident happened in Rusizi where four people lost lives.
Even though security was tightened on Christmas, CP Kabera reminded Rwandans to be cautious over theft cases that might arise in festive seasons.
“Police is on alert to protect security but Rwandans should not be complacent. Celebrating festive seasons should not give room for theft or insecurity,” he said.
CP Kabera also reminded the general public to continue adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures because the pandemic has not yet been defeated.
On Christmas night, Police arrested 368 people who violated COVID-19 preventive measures including wearing of face masks and respecting curfew hours.
The deceased include two from Kigali and one from Rusizi respectively aged, 89, 71 and 61.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 37, Rubavu: 14, Gicumbi: 7, Muhanga:2, Huye:2, Musanze:1, Rusizi :1 and Gisagara:1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 7817 people have been tested positive out of 714, 431 sample tests of whom 6227 have recovered, 1518 are active cases while 72 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 Program Director at Spark MicroGrants Rwanda, Albert Uwayo explained that they first carried out research to identify citizens’ plans to mitigate COVID-19 effects and later provided funds to deal with most pressing issues.
First of all, the organization carried out research to identify if citizens have enough information about the pandemic and preventive measures and supported the Government to implement mobilization by sending short messages to all citizens in its database educating them about COVID-19 and preventive measures.
Thereafter, after learning how the pandemic has affected their source of income and employments amidst struggles to feed families, Spark MicroGrants negotiated donors to help them get rid of these challenges.
As Uwayo explained, the funds helped Spark MicroGrants to support 135 villages covered by the organization countrywide.
“We initially provided Rwf 27,000 to each village to distribute COVID-19 preventive kits to beneficiaries including face masks and hand sanitizers,” noted Uwayo.
The organization also provided Rwf 900,000 funding to each beneficiary village to mitigate the pandemic’s effects that was utilized based on most pressing issues.
“They decided how to utilize the money because beneficiaries had cited different issues related to inadequate foods, lack of Mutuelle de Santé, lack of seeds,” said Uwayo.
He appealed on beneficiaries and Rwandans in general to continue adhering to instituted health guidelines and embrace saving culture to be able to deal with any emergencies.
Usually, Spark MicroGrants provides a platform whereby citizens form groups discuss profitable projects and later provides funding for implementation.
This project initiative works in partnership with the Social Economic Development Officer (SEDO), these are the ones that follow up people called ‘Inyenyeri’ meaning ‘stars’ elected by the village members to support them to run village meetings.
When the village has set up and become organized, those Inyenyeri help the village members through various brainstorming sessions project ideas that can help them to reach their goal; they spend six-month meeting and perfecting their project. After that Spark MicroGrants provides grants to the village to implement their projects and keeps working with that village for a period of three years.
Spark MicroGrants has been operating in Rwanda since 2010 with interventions covering Musanze, Burera, Gakenka, Rulindo and Gisagara districts.
As of last year’s figures, it had helped about 69.973 Rwandans.
Spark MicroGrants’ vision is to see a world where everybody lives with dignity and shape their own positive future.
The United Nations has revealed that these soldiers arrived in CAR on Christmas Eve on board two aircrafts from South Sudan where they had been deployed for United Nations Mission in South Sudan (MINUSS).
This reinforcement is part of the implementation of the integrated plan to secure the presidential and legislative elections due to take place on Sunday. It aims to reinforce MINUSCA to respond to security challenges currently facing the Central African Republic.
“These additional peacekeepers will strengthen MINUSCA Force’s to reinforce security systems during elections, which consists, in part, of deploying troops in the electoral districts in support of the Central African defense and security forces,” said the UN mission in a statement released on Friday.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in CAR, Mankeur Ndiaye, welcomed these additional peacekeepers and expressed optimism for their contribution highlighting that ‘the professionalism of Rwandan peacekeepers is known to all’.
Mr. Ndiaye, who is also the head of MINUSCA, thanked the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, for having requested and obtained the authorization of the United Nations Security Council to urgently strengthen the current system of the United Nations’ peace operation in CAR as armed groups try to disrupt Sunday’s elections.
He explained that it is further proof of the full commitment of the international community alongside the CAR people for elections scheduled on 27th December 2020.
The 300 peacekeepers deployed are additional to force protection troops that the Government of Rwanda deployed to CAR last week under an existing bilateral agreement on defense.
The Ministry of Defense revealed that the previous deployment was in response to the targeting of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent under the UN Peacekeeping force by rebels supported by François Bozize who was president between 2003 and 2013.
During an interactive session with members of the press at the occasion of delivering ‘State of the Nation Address,’ Kagame said, the country already has forces in CAR for peace keeping mission but the situation is changing due to upcoming elections.
“We have forces serving under UN peacekeeping effort in CAR. The country is in the process of carrying out elections, scheduled on 27th December. This is a good thing since it legitimizes leaders. There have been many armed groups that recently came together and made pacts, some under the former president Bozize leadership, where they invaded the country from the outside. Their aim was to disrupt elections, but we also learned that some of those rebels wanted to attack our forces. All because we have been uncompromised and forceful in ensuring that citizens were well-protected,” he said.
On Saturday 19th December 2020, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra accused former president of the country, François Bozize of planning a coup-plot to dethrone the Government in collaboration with armed rebels. However, the ex-president of the Central African Republic has denied the allegation.
Tensions rose after Mr Bozizé’s candidacy for this week’s national elections was rejected by the country’s highest court. The UN said on Friday it had deployed peacekeeping forces to the country. President Faustin Archange Touadéra has insisted the poll will go ahead, saying the presence of the army and UN peacekeepers means people have nothing to fear.
But opposition parties, including that of Mr Bozizé, have called for the vote to be postponed “until the re-establishment of peace and security”.
President Kagame said, there had been no confrontations to Rwanda’s forces in CAR peacekeeping mission amidst their mandate to protect civilians.
As he explained, the rules of engagement for recently sent forces are forcibly different from other forces’ rules due to being sent under a different mandate.
“In this particular case, we’ve had an agreement with the CAR government, in which the rules of engagement are different. Our additional forces will be able to protect citizens and our existing force already there, without being limited by other rules of engagement [UN],” said Kagame.
The President also underscored that there are police troops protecting civilians camps in CAR that are attacked sometimes. He said that forces sent under different mandate will reinforce security to ensure smooth elections and protect Rwanda’s forces against any attacks.
Rwanda has been a main contributor to United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since it first deployed in 2014. MINUSCA’s Rwandan contingent is notably in charge of the security of Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera and the presidential palace.
