{Before COVID-19 pandemic, RwandAir had announced plan to buy four new aircrafts including two Airbus A330neo and two Boeing 737 Max 8 which has been suspended. }
During a recent press briefing, Minister Gatete said that RwandAir cannot buy a new aircraft during COVID-19.
“Even existing aircrafts are not fully serving their purpose due to COVID-19. We have to wait until passengers can fly safely to expand activities. We cannot expand during this period,” he explained.
The new aircrafts were expected to be used for RwandAir’s flights to Guangzhou in China, New York in the United States, Dubai, Lagos, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
RwandAir management recently announced that flights have resumed at 70% in November 2020.
RwandAir currently uses various aircrafts including two Boeing 737-700NG, two Bombardier CRJ-900 NextGen, four Boeing 737-800NG, two Bombardier Q-400 NextGen, one Airbus A330 – 300 and one Airbus A330 – 200.
In a bid to support RwandAir’s recovery from COVID-19, the Government of Rwanda increased the budget allocated to the carrier to Rwf 145,1 billion in the iscal year 2020/2021 from Rwf 121,8 of last year.
In February this year, Qatar Airways announced that discussions were ongoing to buy 49% shares in RwandaAir.
The deal is considered a great development to improve operations considering the reputation of Qatar Airways. The latter won four prestigious prizes at 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, including the highest accolade of ‘World’s Best Airline’ – becoming the only airline in the competition’s history to win it five times (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019).
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently announced that aviation companies will earn US$419 billion this year from US$838 billion of last year.
The remains buried on Sunday 29th November 2020 were exhumed during different construction and agricultural activities.
Some relatives of victims laid at the memorial revealed that the decent burial soothes their hearts.
“It is of great value to accord decent burial which we have wished for long. We thank God for making it possible. Even if we cried for long, at least our hearts are relieved because we know where they are laid to rest,” said Mireille Umurungi.
The President of IBUKA (umbrella organization of genocide survivors) in Huye district, Theodat Siboyintore blamed people hoarding information of location of remains of genocide victims.
“It is a good occasion to blame people retaining information of whereabouts other victims is dumped to accord a decent burial. Revealing such information helps us along the resilience journey,” he said.
More remains 100 of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were found in Karama sector, Huye district this year during preparation the land for school construction. No one had provided information.
Parliamentarian, Veneranda Uwamariya explained that failure to reveal where more victims are dumped is a barrier to unity and reconciliation.
She urged people to reveal information that could help to locate more remains of victims for decent burial.
Local leaders and security officials found the body yesterday dumped in the toilet belonging to the family of a man who recently cohabited with Nyiramana in Ruhango sector.
Nyiramana was reported missing last week. At the time, residents claimed that the cohabiting man might know the truth about her disappearance.
Local leaders and security officials mounted a search until they found the body yesterday in toilet.
The spokesperson of RIB, Dr Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that four people have been arrested in connection with the murder.
He explained that the suspects include a 40 year old man who cohabited with Nyiramana and his 35 year old friend.
Dr Murangira said the two suspects explained that they committed the murder on the order of a 70 year-old-father in law and brother-in-law.
“The four suspects are pinned for murder of Nyiramana Agnes, 37, and dumping her body in toilet. They explained, the woman was murdered for reporting her husband who trafficked drugs leading to his detention,” he said.
RIB appealed on Rwandans to distance themselves from such heinous crimes that whoever caught will be held accountable.
The four suspects are detained at RIB Station in Ruhango district. Their case is to be filed and transferred to the prosecution.
A statement from the Ministry of Health released last night reported 15 new cases out of 2196 samples and 36 recoveries.
New patients were found in Kigali: 2, Burera: 6, Rwamagana: 3, Rubavu: 2, Nyaruguru: 1 and Musanze: 1.’
The first case was confirmed in Rwanda on 14th March 2020.
So far 5934 cases have been found out of 626311 sample tests. 5516 have recovered, 369 are active cases while 49 have succumbed to the pandemic.
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 minister made the call on Sunday during a visit in Nyaruguru district which recently topped all districts in 2019/2020 performance contracts.
The Minister was attending a ceremony to reward best performing Imboni z’umupaka (groups of volunteers working closely with security officials to reinforce security at borders) from Nyamagabe, Nyanza and Gisagara districts in Southern Province.
Bordering with Burundi, Southern Province organized competitions for sectors touching Burundi borders.
Security threat architects from Burundi have been reportedly repelled at different times trying to attack Rwanda through Nyungwe forest.
The Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi explained that the competition focused on values of protecting their security, preventing smuggling and illegal border crossing, promoting unity and reconciliation, social interactions among others.
Minister Shyaka lauded Nyaruguru district and its residents for topping performance contracts and winning majority awards in the competition.
Nyaruguru won three out four awards during the competition.
He requested residents to stick of the principle of protecting their security, avoid illegal border crossing and related crimes including smuggling, improve hygiene, fight against domestic violence especially for girls, and take part in budget planning and decision making and other development initiatives.
As of today, the world is moving fast shifting from analogue to digital. More artistic creations are kept in written form and other digital means. It is against this background that Rwanda has also adapted to emerging technology whereby different of oral traditions can be found in different books, online sources or kept through audio-visual records.The oral tradition was most common during the reign of Kings.
Long ago, during the reign of Kings, written literature was not popular. To keep record of all activities happening across kingdoms, oral traditional took center stage. To this end, all poets rooting from Nyirarumaga said to be the matriarchy of all poets in Rwanda had their works memorized. The tales of then were also memorized and transmitted to generations up to date.
One of them is the mysterious tale of Nyiransibura, a mythical woman attributed to the creation of Lake Kivu. The woman is said to have existed during the reign of King Ndahiro III Cyamatare according to Rwanda’s oral traditions.
The Kings of ancient Rwanda are classified into three dynasties. These include Ibimanuka, (the Descents), or the Divine Kings; Abami b’Umushumi (the Kings of the Cord) and Abami b’Ibitekerezo (the Kings of Mind). The Descents are said to originate from heaven. Their existence dates from the reign of Shyerezo to Kazi, the last of this dynasty.
Kings of the Cord are kings with no records of their tenure and deeds. Their dynasty start from Gihanga cyahanze Inka n’Ingoma (the creator of cow and kingdom) to king Cyilima I Rugwe while the Kings of Mind are those with well-known deeds and traceable genealogy. Their kingdom dates back from the reign of Kigeli I Mukobanya to the last King of Rwanda, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa.
Gihanga Ngomijana was the first King of the Cord between 1091-1124. He is considered the creator of Rwanda. The history of these dynasties is the subject of the royal myths.
Nyiransibura’s tale dates back to the reign of King Ndahiro III Cyamatare.
Long ago, King Ndahiro III Cyamatare abducted and took hostage of a woman called Nyiransibura the daughter of Muriro, creature from the country of ‘Bunyabungo’(currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo). Upon arrival, Nyiransibura was given a regular task of cleaning at the king’s home.
One day, a strange noise aroused when King Ndahiro was in a meeting with his subordinates. They attributed the noise to witchcraft from Abanyabungo who might have come to rescue their daughter.
The agenda of the meeting soon changed to discuss the next course of action for their hostage, Nyiransibura. They agreed on returning Nyiransibura to homeland rather than killing her.
As the envoys took Nyiransibura home, they reached a region called Kinyaga (currently in Rusizi district) where a rainmaker (umuvubyi) welcomed them and married Nyiransibura. The rainmaker treated Nyiransibura gently with much love in a beautiful valley of Kinyaga where they happily lived together.
Kinyaga is said to be far distant from Ndahiro III Cyamatare’s residence.
During delivery, the placenta rupture left plenty liquids, filling the valley hence creating Lake Kivu. The home of Nyiransibura’s witch was left in the middle of the liquids squirted from the placenta and became an isle (said to be the current ‘Ijwi’). This is how Rwanda’s fairy-tales narrated the creation of Lake Kivu.
The delivered child was named Nsibura and stayed with her mother. He took care of father’s cows but also had intentions to attack King Ndahiro and revenge for her mother’s abduction.
The relocation was announced last week on Wednesday during a meeting bringing together locals from the slum commonly known as ‘Bannyahe’ with the Minister of Local Government, Prof Anastase Shyaka.
At the time 48 families were expected to move to the new estate for the first batch but only 14 families relocated to new homes yesterday as RBA broadcasted.
During the previous meeting with Shyaka residents expressed readiness to move to new homes.
The size of houses allocated to each family will depend on the latter’s possessions in the slum. These include houses with one bed room and sitting room, two bed rooms and sitting room or three bed rooms with sitting room compensating previous homes.
The majority is expected to receive one bed room and sitting room.
One of residents expressed concerns that one bed room is not enough to accommodate a family and appealed for reassessment of the situation.
“We are all mature parents. I have 18 year old daughter and 16 year old son. You all know the sweetness of the family and what takes place in bed. The household is likely to break up when the woman didn’t take care of husband in bed. I am wondering how spouses will engage in their bed affairs while children are hearing them,” he asked.
“The most worrying thing is the up-surging rape cases nowadays. Parents are reportedly raping their daughters while others rape their sisters. I think you are aware of a 40 year old man who recently raped his mother yet many of us stay with our parents. Isn’t this going to give unnecessary tasks to the Police,” he added.
The Mayot of Kigali City, Pudence Rubingisa assured residents of finding basics in Busanza to support them as they gradually get familiar with new settlement.
The new cases found yesterday are from Kigali :8, Musanze :8, Rubavu: 4, Rusizi:3, Gicumbi:2, Nyagatare: 1, Gatsibo: 1, and Burera:1.
5480 equivalent to 92.5 % of all cases have recovered while active cases are 391. The Government of Rwanda has strengthened COVID-19 preventive measures and expects to deploy dogs in identification of COVID-19 patients next month.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. 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 community work worth Rwf 500,000 was held on Saturday November 2020 in Taba village of Murama cell in Kinyinya sector.
The gesture is part of Rotary Club’s initiatives to contribute to inclusive development.
During the community work, members of Rotary Club along with Rotaract members from University of Rwanda’s College of Education and School of Finance and Business planted 20 ornamental trees, built a kitchen backyard garden and prepared the ground upon which a garden for local early childhood center will be developed.
The Assistant District Governor – District 9150, Jeannette Rugera said the community work was meant to provide a favorable environment with all requirements for learners as the school is completed.
She explained that the kitchen garden will contribute to the provision of balanced diet for children.
“These activities will enable a conducive learning environment with fresh air and provision of balanced diet. We are delighted for the activity as partners for the district and the Government in general,” she noted.
Gasabo district is constructing over 900 classrooms to facilitate studies while adhering to COVID-19 health guidelines once completed.
The Director for Good Governance in Gasabo district, Jonas Shema hailed the contribution of Rotary Club to the promotion of education highlighting that new classrooms will reduce overcrowding and long distances from homes to school.
Among others, Rotary Club committed to provide water tanks, desks and hand washing facilities to EAR TABA, a school with primary and early childhood center under construction.
Rotary Clubs members who participated in the community work were from different clubs Kigali Virunga, Kigali Doyen and Kigali Mont Jali additional to Rotaracts (Rotary Club junior members from universities) from College of education (former KIE), SFB, African Leadership University and Kigali City.
Rotary Club Rwanda comprises of six clubs including Musanze, Kigali Mont Jali, Kigali Virunga, Kigali Doyen, Gasabo and Butare with 122 members.
Rotary Clubs intervene in the provision of safe water, promoting quality education, prevention of pandemics, eradication of poverty, environment protection, striving for durable peace and promoting citizens’ livelihoods.
As for ordinary trade principles, the more customers increase the faster progress is attained. This is however contrary to environment protection principle whereby increased numbers might lead to losses. This requires strong measures to promote tourism and protect biodiversity in the ecosystem as well.
Figures show that Akagera National Park recorded 15,000 visits annually from 2010 until 2019 when numbers increased significantly to 50,000.
The management of the park recently informed partners that the park sometimes would record higher visits beyond its capacity in the last four months of the year which posed risks to the park and visitors.
“One of strategies to reduce the high rate of visits and related consequences to the park without affecting revenues to preserve the park is the revision of prices. The new policy intends to mobilize visitors to spend long time. We have witnessed this especially during this period of recovering domestic tourism and needs reinforcement,” reads in part the park’s statement.
{{Doubled prices }}
New reforms include increasing prices to visit Akagera National Park and offering discount when a visitor spends the second and the third night. There will be no extra payments from the 4th until the 7th night.
As per new entry fees to be effected on 15th January 2021, a Rwandan or member of East African Community (EAC) will pay US$16 (Rwf 15,000) up from US$7.50 (Rwf 6,500) per day or night.
A person spending two nights in the park will pay US$24 (Rwf 22,500) and Rwf 30,000 entry fees for three nights.
Effective January 2021, entry fees for international visitors has been fixed at US$100 from US$50 per night. If the visitor is to spend two nights, the entry price is fixed at US$150 and US$200 for three nights.
Children aged 5 and under are free of charge, no entry fee or activities fees apply. Activity fees rates for children are applicable for 6 – 12 year olds. 13 year olds and above pay adult rates for entry fees and activities.
Children between 6 and 12 from Rwanda and EAC will pay US$11 (Rwf10,000) up from US$4 (Rwf3,500). The price for two and three nights is respectively fixed at US$16 (Rwf15,000) and US$21 (Rwf20,000).
Prices for cars have also been reduced. A small car registered in Rwanda or EAC will be charged US$10 down from US$12 (Rwf10,000) while large vehicles carrying tourists will be charged US$20 down from US$24 (Rwf20.000).
Prices for small and large cars out of EAC remained the same at US$40 and US$100.
{{Group fees and annual passes }}
Usually, a group of over 20 Rwandans would get Rwf 1500 discount per individual, thus paying Rwf5000 entry fees each.
The new pricing has extended the discount for adults and children. Groups of Rwandan Nationals of more than 20 people automatically receive a group discount of 2,000 Rwf and will be charged at Rwf 12,000 per adult and 8,000 Rwf per child.
As for annual passes, the price for an individual from Rwanda or EAC remained the same at Rwf 95,000. The price has however been increased from Rwf 115,000 to Rwf 150,000 for two persons and Rwf150,000 to Rwf205,000 for a family.
Annual passes for foreigners living in Rwanda or EAC has increased to US$300 from US$250. The price has been fixed at US$500 from US$400 for two people and US$700 from US$600 for a family.
There will be no further charges for already booked passes.
The revised prices do not concern accommodation fees at Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp which remained at US$25 and US$40 respectively for half and whole day.
Akagera National Park is home to the big five on the continent including Lions, Rhinos, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard.
Apart from the presence of over 482 bird species, the park is also home to various wild and aquatic animals.
