The decision was among expected resolutions of the meeting that took place at Village Urugwiro yesterday chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The 18th Umushyikirano was scheduled on Thursday 16th December 2020.
Preparations for the council were underway while 500 participants were expected to go for COVID-19 test since Tuesday this week.
“Given the current trend of COVID – 19, the Cabinet has postponed all national events including Umushyirano,” reads the second resolution of the cabinet meeting.
Following the cancellation of Umushyikirano, President Kagame is expected to deliver State of the Nation Address on 21st December 2020. The address is expected to comfort Rwandans especially during these difficult times when COVID-19 affected the country putting economy at a downturn.
The first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Rwanda on 14th March 2020. As of today, 6747 people have been tested positive out of 671,223 sample tests of whom 5996 have recovered, 695 are active cases while 56 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.
According to the statement, movements are prohibited from 9 PM to 4 AM effective from 15th to 21st December 2020 while movements will be prohibited from 8 PM to 4 AM effective from December 22nd – 4th January.
The new measures have been announced following the up surging COVID-19 new cases whereby over 700 people were tested positive within 14 days while 6 succumbed to the virus in the same period.
The figures are higher compared to the previous time.
Among others, the cabinet meeting set special curfew hours in Musanze district prohibiting movements from 7pm until 4pm.
Based on the increasing cases, the cabinet meeting has suspended social gatherings at national level including the National Dialogue Council.
On 21st December, President Paul Kagame will hold talks with officials, citizens and journalists and deliver State of the Nation Address.
{{General preventive measures nationwide }}
a. From December 15th – 21st, movements are prohibited from 9 PM to 4 AM.
b. From December 22nd – 4th January, movements will be prohibited from 8 PM to 4 AM.
c. All social gatherings including wedding ceremonies and celebrations of all kinds are prohibited both in public and private settings.
d. Meetings and conferences should not exceed 30% of venue capacity. Event organizers must comply with all COVID –19 preventive measures. COVID – 19 tests will be required for all participants.
e. Offices of public and private institutions will operate at 30% capacity. Other employees will continue working from home on a rotational basis.
f. Public transportation (buses) will operate at 50% capacity in compliance with COVID – 19 preventative measures.
g. Services at places of worship shall operate once a week at no more than 50% of maximum occupancy.
h. Funerals should not exceed 50 persons.
i. Attendance at a wake/vigil (Ikiriyo) should not exceed 15 persons at any one time.
j. All gyms and swimming pools are closed. However, those at hotels may be used only by tested hotel residents.
k. The national football premier league games and training camps are suspended except for national football team competitions and clubs involved in international competitions.
{{Specific measures in Musanze city}}
a. Movements are prohibited from 7 PM to 4 AM.
b. Meetings and conferences shall be suspended for the next three weeks.
c. Services at places of worship shall operate once a week at no more than 30%of maximum occupancy.
d. Funerals should not exceed 30 persons.
All citizens are reminded of the critical importance of complying with health measures including physical distancing, wearing face masks and hand hygiene.
Penalties will be applied for non-compliance. All other existing measures and guidelines shall remain in force.
These measures will be reviewed after 3 weeks upon a health assessment.
Majority of the violators are traders in downtown, who undermined the 50 percent number of businesses or traders required to operate in each shift; those who had no hand sanitizers, disregarded social distancing and did not wear a facemask.
All the violators were taken to Kigali stadium in Nyamirambo where they will be enlightened on the prevention measures.
According to Nyarugenge District Executive Administrator (DEA) Emmy Ngabonziza, nine shops were also closed in light of the identified violations.
“COVID-19 has taken a new twist largely because of such people’s behaviors; people are tilting from the line and are disregarding the safety and health guidelines intentionally, which will not be entertained,” Ngabonziza said.
He added that some traders were undermining members of youth volunteers, grassroots leaders and DASSO, adding that the identified shops will be closed for a period of one month and owners fined accordingly.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned that operations against violators are continuous across the country.
“There are set and clear directives, which must be respected and followed. We cannot entertain any actions that derail national efforts against the pandemic because it’s the same inappropriate behaviors and complacency that is fueling the increase in infections,” CP Kabera warned.
He cautioned people who also undermine youth volunteers and other groups that are supporting national efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic, adding that Police and local authorities have strengthened partnership to ensure maximum compliance and to penalize anyone caught in violations.
The statement released last night shows that new cases include entrants to the country and cross border traders.
These cases were found in Kigali: 31, Rubavu: 31 , Nyagatare: 10, Musanze: 6, Gakenke: 2, Bugesera: 2, Nyamagabe: 1, Nyanza: 1, Ngororero: 1, Karongi: 1, Huye: 1 and Burera: 1.’
The first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Rwanda on 14th March 2020. So far 6747 people have been tested positive out of 671,223 sample tests of whom 5996 have recovered, 695 are active cases while 56 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 executive secretary of Mwulire sector, Rwagasana Jean Claude has told IGIHE that investigation is underway to establish the murderer.
“We have found the motorcyclist dead. His passenger is the prime suspect but we are still investigating to establish the truth. Residents alerted us that they found him them shortly after the motorcyclist passed by transporting a passenger,” he said.
Police spokesperson in Eastern Province, CIP Twizeyimana Hamdun has told IGIHE that the motorcyclist has been killed around 12midday adding that the body was first seen by children.
“News circulated around 12 noon that children saw a body in Mwulire stabbed with knives in the chest. In the meantime, residents in neighboring village saw a person riding a motorbike with much blood on it. They suspected, attempted to stop him but run away and abandoned the motorbike. They inspected and established that the motorbike belongs to murdered motorcyclist,” he said.
By press time, CIP Twizeyimana said that the body was going to be taken to Rwamagana referral hospital as investigation to arrest the suspect is underway.
The First Lady made the call on Sunday as she officially launched the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) congress held in Kigali to discuss Sexual Reproductive Health and well-being of women around the world.
She told participants of the three-day meeting that women’s life matters and should be maintained by professionals.
Mrs. Kagame said that Rwanda recognizes the role being played by everyone attending the Congress, and the contributions they are and will make to support the provision of services to improve mothers’ health and that of their newborns and took the opportunity to emphasize the need to put women’s health at the centre.
“By putting women’s health first and at the centre of our work, we will be more effective to end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths,” she said.
Ms. Kagame commended achieved milestone whereby deliveries attended by a skilled health care provider have steadily increased over the last decade, with currently 91% of women giving birth in a health facility, and the same percentage assisted by a skilled provider.
“While many women give birth in a state of zen-like call, many others owe their lives and those of our babies to the skills of medics and midwives,” she said.
Although it is viewed as a normal physiological process, the First Lady stressed that labour and birth can produce significant pain requiring appropriate pain management.
“Beyond data and statistics, improvements in ensuring the best quality of care for a mother to deliver, should also prioritise humanising maternity care and the expansion of birth options which, at the same time, prioritise midwifery-led care for women of all risk,” she noted.
“A woman should be able to create a pain plan with them early, in order to be prepared for what to expect. How a woman wants to deal with childbirth pain is an important decision. Her interaction with an obstetrician and anaesthesiologist should be encouraged, no matter where she gives birth, so they can talk about options and provide recommendations,” added Mrs. Kagame.
She highlighted that pain relief during labour should not be seen as a failure noting that it is available to reduce maternal distress and enhance the progress of labour, as most women wish they had some degree of relief during that intense moment.
“You calm our fears by sharing all you know and by serving others. Where would we be without you, without your knowledge and healing hands? We are forever grateful for your great work, for your skills and for your constant support and positive attitude. There can be millions of reasons why you decide to pursue a career in medicine. And perhaps, the most important reason is your own calling. You commit your life to saving other’s lives,” stressed Mrs. Kagame.
Mrs Jeannette Kagame invited all participants to commit to providing each woman with all the best options, to make informed decisions about such a special moment in her life and that of her entire family.
“No woman should die while giving life,” she said.
The meeting is taking place at Kigali Convention Centre but others attend virtually.
This virtual event is hosted by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in partnership with the African Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Rwanda Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The Congress brings together more than 1000 health professionals including obstetricians and gynaecologists, midwives, nurses, advocates, decision makers, and other specialists in the field of women’s health and policy.
It will enable important discussions that help to shape national, regional and global policy and ultimately ensure the physical, mental, reproductive and sexual health and well-being of women throughout the world now, and in the future.
“He had clashes with his wife related to money received from ‘Ikimina’ yesterday evening in a local market. Following the wrangles, the woman took children and went to spend the night in neighboring Remera village,” said a neighboring resident.
It is said that the village leader escorted the woman back home to reconcile the family and found the house closed. They broke the padlock and found the man hanging dead.
“The woman sought support from village leader to reconcile them. Upon arrival, the house was closed and no one opened despite repeated knocks. They broke the padlock to get in and found the man hanging,” the executive secretary of Gako cell, Nzigiyimana Azalias has told IGIHE.
The man was not legally married with the wife. It is said that they would often get in heated arguments as the wife suspected husband to abuse cannabis.
Busingye made the request yesterday during discussions with the second cohort of court bailiffs tasked to finalize court cases won by the Government and seek measures to recover unsettled debts.
The second cohort of 37 court bailiffs has been assigned to finalize 280 court cases involving Rwf3, 010, 711, 593 to be recovered. They are taking over from the first batch comprised of 33 bailiffs who were tasked to handle 120 court cases but finalized only 44 cases recovering Rwf 238, 580, 499.
Busingye explained that 80 cases have not been handled due to failure to find information and backlogging issues.
He revealed that more efforts have been earmarked to establish a revised system that will help bailiffsaccess information.
“We have compiled information on people owing Government. We have partnered with Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority, RSSB, National ID Agency and Rwanda Revenue Authority to access information. This will be the foundation for court bailiffs to carry out their activities smoothly. Besides, we have delegated a permanent debt recovery team from the ministry,” he said.
“We want court bailiffs to help us in the process of recovering all debts owed to the Government from won court cases,” he said.
Musoni Goldflie, one of the court bailiffs explained that their job will be easier given that an information pool has been established.
“We would find it difficult to get deeper information for people owing debts to the Government. I am optimistic that we shall recover the debts so long as the problem has been fixed,” he said.
As of today, the Government is owed compensation from 2,416 people that lost court cases.
The closure of restaurants operating as bars and activities crowding people that provided loophole for spread of the virus are among other expected resolutions.
The cabinet meeting is also expected to make final decision on the cancellation of the 18th Umushyikirano.
It was recently announced that the council would take place at Kigali Convention Center under strict COVID-19 health guidelines and attract the participation of 500 instead of 2000 who have been attending since inception.
Preparations were underway that COVID-19 tests for participants would start from today at Petit Stade in Remera.
A total of 678 people have been tested negative in the past 13 days while 6 have succumbed to the virus in the same period.
During a talkshow broadcasted on RTV yesterday to shed light on COVID-19 preventive measures, the Minister of Health Dr Daniel Ngamije explained that the high level of complacency and individual behaviours is spreading the virus leading to increase in daily infections, thus derailing the national response efforts.
“The last two weeks have caused concern; the rate of infections is high, we are now seeing infections in many parts of the country and in various groups of people,” Dr. Ngamije said.
He added: “COVID-19 has so far killed 56 people in Rwanda, including four deaths in the last three days, we have seen that it kills even young people including those with no other underlying health conditions. We are seeing infections in business centres, schools, medical workers, prisons.
It’s so unfortunate that this surge in infections is largely due to complacency and human behaviours that disregard the set health guidelines.”
As the country awaits the arrival of the vaccine, probably in the next three months, Dr. Ngamije reiterated the need to ensure maximum compliance.
“Young people account for the majority of violators. When you seat somewhere in a social gathering, even if you observe physical distancing, but not wearing a face mask, within 30 minutes, everyone around you will be infected. There are also traders, some of whom have been arrested, who forge certificates thus spreading the virus.”
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera also noted that violations are now high like never before during this pandemic period.
“The inappropriate behaviors call for stringent measures against those who move beyond 10pm or before 4am; people attending authorised events beyond the permitted number and to stop such events in circumstances where violations are observed. It is now time to take a punitive approach,” CP Kabera warned.
Complacency and disregard for prevention directives, CP Kabera said, is also observed in the big numbers of violators intercepted, including those without face mask or wearing it inappropriately, physical distancing and those found operating bars.
The spokesperson highlighted that every situation informs new required measures, that anyone caught disregarding the directives will face immediate consequences.
The Annual National Umushyikirano Council was set to take place for the 18th time during a time when the world is faced with Coronavirus pandemic which has taken lives of over 50 Rwandans. To control the spread of COVID-19 all participants had to go for early tests and respect other health guidelines instituted including hand washing, wearing face masks and social distancing.
There had been some changes whereby, this year’s Umushyikirano would last one day on 16th December instead of the usual two days.
During the council, the president delivers ‘State of the Nation’ address.
Umushyikirano is Kinyarwanda’s equivalent of ‘dialogue’. During the dialogue, participants exchange ideas, share experiences, peer review and question each other. Today Umushyikirano is known as the National Dialogue Council.
As part of efforts to reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared national identity, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices to enrich and adapt its development programs to the country’s needs and context.
The result is a set of Home Grown Solutions – culturally owned practices translated into sustainable development programs. One of these Home Grown Solutions is Umushyikirano.
Governed by the Rwandan Constitution (Article 168), Umushyikirano is a forum where participants debate issues relating to the state of the nation, the state of local government and national unity. The Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for the overall co-ordination of Umushyikirano.
Dr Ngamije made the revelation yesterday during a live talk-show on Rwanda Television. He explained that Rwanda is among 96 countries prepared to acquire the vaccine through World Health Organization and COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine producers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccine once licensed and approved.
“We have been registered and submitted the request with detailed figures of needed vaccines. The more vaccines are produced, the more the organization liaises with producers to identify available vaccines to be distributed to countries that expressed interest,” he said.
“We shall cover 20% of Rwandans in the first phase through the United Nation’s system. It doesn’t exclude us from engaging in discussions with other countries that might provide us with vaccines even though we have not completed the feasibility study. It is however, possible to get them from partner countries,” added Ngamije.
He explained that Rwanda will be among first African countries receiving the vaccine once licensed and ready for distribution.
So far, the country is considering three vaccines mainly; mRNA-1273 produced by Moderna Inc. from the United States of America, BNT162b2 produced by respective factories from the United States of America and Germany as well as and Pfizer from the United Kingdom.
These vaccines require storage in special temperature conditions posing need for establishing strong storage systems as they are distributed to citizens.
“We meet several requirements especially for two of the three requested vaccines. We even have capacity to receive quite a number Pfizer vaccines at national level. As for such a vaccine that should be stored at -70 Celsius, it can be designated for areas where the temperatures a very cold and store it for at least three days in ordinary refrigerators designed for vaccines,” he said.
“This means, we are also able to use those vaccines with special storage conditions once available. As for Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines, we can’t buy refrigerators because they are available. We are training workers and identifying targeted people in the first phase. It is evident that we will attend to health workers at health centers and hospitals. We also have figures of people with chronic diseases but we must prepare to spot their locations,” added Ngamije.
He explained that they are conducting a census to establish locations of people with complicated respiratory diseases, diabetes among others to plan the distribution of vaccines accordingly once available.
