Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The traffic offenders were paraded to the media on Friday, December 25, at the Metropolitan Police headquarters in Remera.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that their actions were also destroying public infrastructure, violating rights of pedestrians and leading to accidents.

He added that taxi-moto operators have a bad attitude and behaviours of violating traffic control-lights, reckless maneuvers trying to overtake vehicles and riding on pedestrian pavements and green spaces, during traffic jam.

Ensuring road safety, he said, involves both education and enforcement.

“We have conducted awareness campaigns in the past years, targeting different groups of road users, including taxi-moto operators. During Gerayo Amahoro campaign, we had a whole month dedicated to educating motorcyclists, among others, on respect for sidewalks and green spaces. It is now time for enforcement,” CP Kabera warned.

“In some cases, motorcyclists fall down trying to climb pavements and knock pedestrians on sidewalks because of such inappropriate driving behaviours,” he added.

The spokesperson further noted that some taxi-moto operators do not have insurance, turn off lights especially when they are violating the curfew hours, in some cases leading to accidents.

“There is no gain in paying heavy fines for such preventable violations. All you need to do is respect traffic lights, not to ride on sidewalks or green spaces. A motorcycle should have insurance because it is your insurance that pays for the damage caused in case of an accident,” CP Kabera told motorcyclists.

Riding on sidewalks attracts a traffic fine of Rwf150,000, among other penalties.

Eric Nzayisenga, one of the arrested taxi-moto operators, regretted his actions which he said have put him in a “tough situation” of looking for money to pay the heavy fines.

“I have learnt a lesson. For a motorcyclist to raise such an amount of money… it is really hard especially when you acquired the motorcycle on loan like me. I hope all taxi-moto drivers have also picked a lesson from this,” said Nzayisenga.

He admitted that he knew that riding on pavements in wrong “only that we did not mind about it probably because no one had ever been arrested or penalised for it.”

To Yves Haragirimana, another arrested motorcyclist, the majority taxi-moto drivers have made it a practice to use walkways, especially during traffic jam.

“It is my first time to be in handcuffs for a simple thing that I can avoid. I must admit that most motorcyclists using pavements see it as something normal, but this is a lesson learnt,” said Haragirimana.

The motorcyclist who was also found in critical conditions is suspected to have attempted suicide after murdering the girl.

The girl’s body has been found in Gisasa village, Ngara cell, Bumbogo sector of Gasabo district in Kigali city.

The Acting spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that RIB has started investigation.

“We have received information that people might have died inside a house. RIB rushed to the scene where he found a 23-year old man in critical condition, suspected to have attempted suicide using pesticides. A girl called Uwamahoro Denise was also found dead in the motorcyclists’ house. It is suspected that he was strangled to death,” he said.

The body has been taken to Rwanda Forensic Laboratory at Kacyiru for postmortem while the motorcyclist is receiving medical attention at Kibagabaga Hospital.

The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali:47, Rubavu:13, Nyaruguru:8, Gicumb:3, Ruhango:1 and Huye:1.

Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case in March 2020. So far, 7743 people have been tested positive out of 712,257 sample tests of whom 6203 have recovered, 1471 are active cases while 69 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.

Dr Nsabimana Ernest was appointed by the cabinet meeting of 14th December 2020.

Dr. Ernest previously served as Vice Mayor in charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure at the City of Kigali prior to his new appointment.

He replaced Lt Col Patrick Nyirishema who has held the position for six years since July 2014.

The handover ceremony took place yesterday in presence of RURA board committee.

The newly appointed Director General of Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (RURA), Dr. Ernest Nsabimana has committed to improve efficiency in transport sector by fixing irregular fares, address issues related to hiked prices for water, electricity tariffs and maintain good reputation of the institution.

Dr. Nsabimana made the pledge to the Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance as the latter assessed the competencies of officials appointed by the cabinet meeting recently.

The areas of priority were revealed on Thursday during an extra-ordinary session of Senate that also approved seven heads of different institutions appointed by 14th December cabinet meeting.

These include Dr. Nsabimana Ernest , the Director General of RURA; Dusenge Byigero Alfred, the CEO of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC); Gashumba Jeanne Pauline, the CEO of Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Vincent Munyeshyaka, the CEO of Business Development Fund (BDF) and Félix Nshimyumuremyi, the Director General of Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA).

Others include Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of Higher Education Council (HEC) and Paul Umukunzi, the Director General of Rwanda TVET Board (RTB).

As they interacted with the Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance, these leaders committed to deliver on efficiency and fix existing gaps.

The Director General of RURA, Dr. Nsabimana Ernest expressed readiness to improve efficiency in public transport services, address the problem of inadequate infrastructure, buses, and roads for public transport as well as fixing irregular public transport fares.

He also expressed interest in providing solution to higher tariffs for water and electricity and telecommunications services experiencing network problems.

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that as Rwanda, like the rest of the world, is still faced with the deadly COVID-19, it requires changing attitude and actions in the festive season celebrations.

“As you start or plan for the festive celebrations, remember that the pandemic of COVID-19 is still in our midst; we are seeing many daily infections and people are still dying. As we have seen, the virus affects and kills all age groups and it is spread by the people,” CP Kabera said.

On December 23, the Ministry of Health reported 87 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the number of cases still active to 1369. A total of 66 COVID-19 related deaths have so far been recorded in Rwanda.

“The situation demands from us all to change our festive celebration lifestyles in line with the health guidelines for everyone’s safety. Avoid unnecessary movements, abide by the health guidelines if you have to move. The guidelines include wearing facemask properly covering the nose and mouth, washing or sanitizing your hands regularly, social distance, avoiding the tradition of hugging or shaking hands, and in case of celebrations of any kind, do it at your home with internal family members; don’t invite other people from outside.”

According to the spokesperson, Police and other entities in local government, health, community policing groups and the general public are working together to ensure maximum compliance with the national health guidelines and for the violators to be penalized accordingly.

CP Kabera said: “Everyone should be home by 8pm. For this to be possible you should plan ahead, anticipate the time your activities will take so that by 8pm you’ll be home already; prioritize what’s important and do it on time so that 8pm won’t find you on the road; make sure any trip you take allows you to be able to reach your home before 8pm; we all don’t have to use the same routes when there are alternative routes you can use to avoid traffic jam; If you use public transport, make sure you get to the bus park early so that you can avoid overcrowding.”

Movements in Musanze District are prohibited between 7pm and 4am.

He further warned against holding house parties, operating bars or relocating them into homes.

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CP Kabera further advised against movements which can lead to further spread of the pandemic.

At least 109 new infections were also reported on December 22, with cases registered in City of Kigali and other 15 districts including six out of seven districts of the Eastern Province. One COVID-19 related death was reported on the same day.

He, however, called upon motorists to respect traffic rules and regulations such as regulating speed as well as adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures.

Public transport vehicles are required to operate at 50 percent capacity in compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures.

CP Kabera further reminded organizers of religious services that places of worship operate once a week with no more than 50 percent of maximum occupancy, except in Musanze where attendance is at 30 percent maximum occupancy.

The statement released last night shows that the deceased include two women aged 55 (from Huye) and 69 (from Kigali) and a 46-year old man (from Kigali).

New patients were found in Kigali: 35, Rubavu: 25, Nyamasheke: 5, Huye: 2, Muhanga: 2, Rusizi: 2 and Nyamagabe: 1.

Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. So far, 7670 people have been tested positive out of 707 401 sample tests of whom 6203 have recovered, 1398 are active cases while 69 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 activity that was scheduled from 28th December 2020 has been postponed to the beginning of next year.

“The National Electoral Commission would like to inform the general public that picking candidatures for aspirants seeking to join districts’ advisory committees scheduled on 28th December 2020 has been postponed,” reads the statement released by NEC.

The Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission, Charles Munyaneza has told IGIHE that the exercise has been postponed because the commission didn’t have enough time to mobilize people for participation due to COVID-19.

“We didn’t have enough time to run activities aimed at mobilizing citizens to participate in elections following the recent cabinet meeting. We have pushed the exercise ahead so that we can get at least two weeks, thus candidates will submit have enough information before submitting forms of candidatures,” he said.

Munyaneza explained that the postponement won’t affect dates for advisory committees’ elections scheduled on 22nd February 2021.

Mayoral elections scheduled from 2nd and 3rd March 2021 have been also postponed to 5th March 2021.

The upcoming elections will begin with the selection of districts’ advisory committees among whom the executive committee comprised of mayor, vice mayors for economic and social affairs will be elected.

The advisory committee is made of members selected at sector level, members from National Youth Council and the coordinator of National Women’s Council at district level.
Others include the coordinator of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities at district level and the President of Private Sector Federation in the district. Women representation in the district’s advisory committee is supposed to be 30%.

Today, SBL has put 7 brands in the market with SKOL Malt being the first brand brought to the Rwandan market, it then introduced SKOL Gatanu, Virunga Mist and Virunga Gold, SKOL Panache, SKOL Lager, SKOL Select and just last Friday Virunga Mineral Water and Virunga Sparkling Water “the first Rwandan mineral water in a returnable glass bottle”.

The company has always been in production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic malt-based beverages until 2019 when the Government of Rwanda voted the Law N0 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of single-use plastic items in the country; SKOL as a company with a commitment to environment sustainability and contribution to Government’s agenda on prohibition of single-use plastic items, decided to invest in a Mineral Water production line, that is now fully operational.

SKOL Brewery Ltd has a reputation of not only offering high quality products to its consumers but also giving pleasure and much fun through different promotional and marketing activities held throughout the years such as the SKOL World Cup Village, SKOL New Year’s Village, SKOL Lager Comedy Nights, Gikundiro Promotion, and more.

SKOL Brewery Ltd is involved in various Corporate Social Responsibility activities like local talent development through cycling teams – SACA and Fly Cycling Club, SKOL FXBVillage a program with the ambition to uplift its beneficiaries from extreme poverty, providing medical support to vulnerable families around the Brewery, and more.

It has also been sponsoring cycling since 2012 through Tour du Rwanda, Rwanda Cycling Cup, and football with Rayon Sports F.C. since 2014; and signed a sponsoring partnership with Arsenal F.C. in 2018.

SKOL Brewery Ltd goal is to not only make profits, provide Pleasure and Perfect products to its consumers but also to contribute to People’s development, wellbeing of its employees and the Rwandan community in general, while respecting the environment at all stages as states its slogan “Pleasure – People – Perfection”. This is also recognised by the awards won – 2018 Best Taxpayer, Best Investor and among Top Taxpayers in 2019; and its investment in a waste-water treatment plant.