Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Jean Bosco Twibanire Basigeho, 38, was arrested red-handed on October 30 in Bisizi Village, Rukoko Cell of Rubavu Sector with a bundle of 2,500 pellets of cannabis.

His arrest came just a day after another major supplier identified as Vincent Nzabonimpa, 31, was also arrested by ANU in the same district in Busasamana Sector with 7,500 pellets of the ‘very severe drug.’

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that ANU had Twibanire on its list of suspected major drug traffickers and suppliers, and that he was being trailed.

“ANU recently got information that Twibanire had brought three bundles of cannabis from DR Congo, which he was keeping in his house. ANU raided the house, which was being guarded by two people armed with knives,” CIP Karekezi explained.

He added: “The guards, however, ran away when they saw armed security personnel but Twibanire was apprehended as he was trying to flee. In the process Police recovered one bundle in his house containing 2500 rolls of cannabis.

There is information that he had already sold the other two bundles, but law enforcement organs are working together to locate and arrest all the retailers he was supplying and others connected to his criminal business.”

CIP Karekezi further explained that identities of some of the suspected major traffickers and local suppliers are known and are being traced.

The arrest came on the heels of increased operations to break chains of supply, spearheaded by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU). Last month, ANU arrested three other major drug dealers; one in Rulindo District with 2,101 pellets and other 20kgs of raw cannabis and two others in Rubavu with 10kgs.

Another suspected supplier was arrested last week in Rutsiro District with over 2,200 rolls of cannabis.

“With the help of the public through information sharing, Rwanda National Police continues to compile names of suspected major drug dealers especially in Rubavu and Rusizi, which are used as major trafficking routes to other parts of the country including Kigali.

This strong community policing framework with the public facilitates the Anti-Narcotics Unit to track and arrest these suspected drug dealers red-handed. The whole operation is aimed at breaking chains of supply,” CIP Karekezi said.

Meanwhile, Police is also still searching for another major drug dealer identified as Olivier Ntawuguranayo, 35, who managed to flee during the operation conducted in Muhanga District over the weekend. Ntawuguranayo was at the time trafficking 1,500 pellets of cannabis, which were impounded.

Cannabis is listed as a “very severe drug” in Rwanda, alongside cocaine, opium and heroin, under the Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.

In article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, it is stated that anyone convicted for “severe narcotic drugs” faces a life imprisonment and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.

Refugees from the Kigeme camp and those living on the hills were at risk during rainy seasons and other weather vagaries.

Some of the refugees said they were happy to leave the area because they were worried that their lives could be in danger during the rainy season.

Kigeme camp director Mutuyeyezu Emmanuel told IGIHE that there is ample space at Mahama for the refugees.

“The reason we chose to take them to the Mahama camp was because there is enough space to accommodate them. A large number of Burundian refugees who are going back home has created space for them, and it is safe,” he said, adding that in Mahama there are school infrastructures to cater for their education needs.

Among the suspended is also James Ngoga, Head of the Teacher Development and Management and Career Guidance and Counselling Department.

These suspensions were announced through a twit by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The following officials from @Rwanda_Edu have been suspended from their duties for failure to properly manage and coordinate the ongoing teacher recruitment process:

-# Dr. Irenée Ndayambaje, Director General of Rwanda Education Board (REB)

-# Ms. Angelique Tumusiime, Deputy Director General of Rwanda Education Board (REB)

-# Mr. James Ngoga, Head of Teacher Development and Management Department at Rwanda Education Board (REB)

The issue of how teachers are recruited has often been a problem and there are even those that have passed job exams and yet don’t find themselves on job lists.

In the past 7,800 teachers passed exams but out of them only 4657 were placed in various positions, including 3687 in primary and 970 in secondary schools.

However, news has it that more than 3,143 were surprised not to be on the list yet they had passed the test.

The REB acknowledged that there had been a mistake in appointing the teachers but assured them that the issue was to be rectified.

In October this year, the Public Service and Labor Commission announced that 1566 teachers working in public schools do not have the required qualifications to allow them to hold their positions, according to the commission’s annual report, 2019/2020.

According to the report, these teachers make up 6.6% of all professionals, who continue to work and do not have complete qualifications, largely due to the inadequate capacity of some supervisors.

Statistics from the Ministry of Education shows that there are 63,000 teachers in the country, of which 98.6% are eligible in primary schools and 76% in secondary schools.

These visits will help MPs to identify and monitor the implementation of plans for the construction and expansion of classrooms and the smooth progress of the growing season of the year 2020/2021 (Season A).

MPs will also check some of the development projects, which the Auditor General of the State and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have indicated that they have been delayed or mismanaged.

MPs will broadcast on both Public and Private Radio so as to share their message as they will not be able to attend meetings that connect them with MPs as it used to be.

During the nationwide tour, MPs are expected to visit the selected Sectors in all the Provinces from November 2 to November 6, 2020, while on November 8, 2020, they will visit all the Sectors that make up the City of Kigali.

The Organic Law on the Functioning of the Chamber of Deputies stipulates that it is carried out by all Deputies, the Chamber of Deputies visits the population at least twice a year, with the aim of identifying and monitoring the activities of the Government, advising the public and identifying their concerns and finding solutions.

The theft incident occurred in the evening of October 28, when three of the suspects allegedly worked together to lure a taxi-moto operator identified as Isidore Habyarimana, from Kigali to Runda where they had set a trap.

They are identified as Gilbert Ukundimana, who guised as a passenger and lured the victim to an ambush; Emmanuel Ntawukuriryayo and Francois Nsangimana, who set the ambush.

Others are Innocent Ndagijimana and Augustin Mbarushimana, who were charged with hiding the motorcycle; one Jean Damascene allegedly played the role of changing the plate numbers while one Jean Claude Habimana alias Harera, was responsible for looking for the buyer.

The suspects arrested separately in Kigali and Bugesera, were on Saturday, October 31, showed to the media at the Metropolitan Police headquarters in Remera.

Police also recovered the motorcycle from the house of Habimana in Bugesera, where he was also arrested alongside Ntawukuriryayo.

The victim; Isidore Habyarimana narrated that at about 7 pm on October 28, he was stopped by Ukundimana in Nyabugogo, who told him that he was going to Runda in Kamonyi District.

“Normally, I operate from Rukomo in Kamonyi where I live but that day, I decided to come and operate from Kigali. That very evening when Ukundimana stopped me, I was going back home.

When we arrived at a place called Kundege, two people appeared from nowhere and that very moment Ukundimana wrapped a rope around my neck and tried to strangle me,” Habyarimana narrated.

He added: “I shouted over my voice for help, all I remember the two people we found in Runda punched me in the ribs before riding my motorcycle away as I was fighting for my life with Ukundimana, who stayed behind trying to strangle me. He left me unconscious thinking I was dead.”

Ukundimana was pursued and apprehended by local residents, who came to Habyarimana’s rescue.

“I am lucky and thank God that I am alive. I also thank the residents, who rescued me and helped to identify and arrest these evil people; our law enforcement organs for rushing me to hospital and recovering my motorcycle,” said Habyarimana.
Jean Damascene Niyomugabo, is one of the local residents, who witnessed the incident, rescued Habyarimana and apprehended Ukundimana.

“That very evening, I had just entered my house from work when I heard someone in the neighborhood shouting and calling for help when I looked through the window I saw a motorcycle taking off. I immediately left the house but found other neighbors had arrived before me, pursued and apprehended Ukundimana, although they were at the time assaulting him,” Niyomugabo explained.

“The motorcyclist was lying down there unconscious and this angered residents, who thought he was dead. This anger drove them to assault Ukundimana but when I arrived, the first thing I did was to secure the suspect, call local leaders and night security personnel, and we took the suspect to the Police station,” he added.

“I am a hair dresser and I work for other people because of such thieves, who stole everything in my salon. I feel it’s equally my responsibility to fight such criminals. It’s an act of humanity and community policing expected of every Rwandan,” said Niyomugabo.

Ukundimana said that he was approached by Ntawukuriryayo, who sold him the idea and defined his role to lure the motorcyclist to an ambush.

“There was no specific targeted motorcyclist; Ntawukuriryayo told me to look for any new motorcycle,” Ukundimana said.

Ntawukuriryayo and Ukundimana became friends when they were serving their sentences for theft and drug dealing, respectively, at Mageragere prison.

RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera warned that such criminals have nowhere to hide in Rwanda.

“You think that you will disturb the peace and safety of others, steal their property and take away their lives or attempt to take their lives and hide; we will find you in one way or another and you will be held accountable,” CP Kabera warned.

“Most of these suspects are young people, who should find other things to do instead of wasting their time in such criminal activities and end up spending many years in prison.”

Under article 168 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for violent theft face between five and seven years in prison and a fine of between Frw3 million and Frw5 million.

According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region, Samuel Susuruka was at the time trying to buy a bulb of Rwf500 when the shop attendant noticed that a note of Rwf 2, 000 the former paid was counterfeit.

Susuruka had travelled from Kigali to visit friends in Rubona village of Kibirizi cell, Rubengera sector in Karongi District.

“At about 6:30pm on Saturday, he went to buy a bulb at the nearby shop but the shop attendant, who was previously defrauded with fake money, realized that the note given to him was forged.

With the help of people, who were around, they apprehended Susuruka only to realize that all the money he had amounting to Rwf40, 000 in the denominations of Frw2000, was counterfeit. They handed him over to Rubengera Police station with the exhibits,” CIP Karekezi said.

He commended the high level of vigilance by the public and the would-be victims, in particular, as well as information sharing on counterfeiters and distributors of fake monies.

“Over the past one month alone, Rwanda National Police has arrested seven people in different districts of the Western region. All of them were identified and reported by the would-be victims, which should send a strong message that people are now aware and wide awake against such economic crimes, which affect their small businesses,” CIP Karekezi said.

Last week, Police in Rutsiro arrested two men after they were found in possession of counterfeit money amounting to Rwf42,000. The fake notes were in the denominations of Rwf1,000 and Rwf2,000. At the time of their arrest, they had allegedly spent about Rwf238,000, all fake.

One Djabil Munguyiko, 23, suspected to be the mastermind of one of the rackets, was also arrested on October 3, in Rubavu District with fake bills amounting to over Rwf13.6 million. The counterfeit bills were in US dollars (136 bills in the denominations of $100) and Rwandan francs (114 bills in the denominations of Rwf5,000).

Munguyiko was also found with ten bundles of papers cut in the shape and size of the Rwf5,000 bill and two devices he was using to print the fake bills.
Each bundle contained 100 pieces of paper.

In late September, three people were also arrested in Rubavu District with counterfeit dollar bills amounting to $4,800.

“Some of these suspects are connected to those arrested previously and serving their sentences. In some cases, the fake notes recovered from different suspects have the same serial number, indicating some connection both in printing and distribution. Nonetheless, arrests have increased because of the big role the public play against these criminal acts,” CIP Karekezi said.

Article 296 in the law determining offences and penalties in general, says “any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or bank notes which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.”

The new cases bring the total number to 5146 of which the recoveries are now 4921, while the active cases are now 190 active cases.

Of the new cases, three were found in Kigali, while Nyagatare recorded 5 new case and Rubavu1.

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 required to continue to comply with government regulations, especially with frequent washing of hands and water and soap, wearing masks when leaving home or in public.

Mrs. Kagame was on Sunday November 1 addressing the 13th Unity Club Forum (UCForum) 2020, themed “Ndi Umunyarwanda: Igitekerezo-ngenga cy’Ukubaho kwacu”- literally translated as “I am Rwandan: A fundamental idea of our existence”- which was the same theme in 2019.

The Unity Club Club was founded back in 1996 by the First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame and it brings together current and former Government Officials, as well as their spouses.

“Ndi Umunyarwanda” is a program initiated by Government through the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) to promote national identity based on trust and dignity.

In her remarks, Mrs. Kagame said that Rwandans and members of the club have gone through a sour history but choose to be one person, accepted to swallow the sour medication which in turn enabled Rwandans to carry on the light of being Rwandans as a foundation of the country’s existence.

The journey is still ongoing thus the need for meeting every time to discuss and access progress made in this regard despite surfacing of voices of denial of this history, which may be done for personal reasons, or as a result of giving up and indifference especially on the progress attained in the country.

With all these challenges at hand, Mrs. Kagame said that there is a critical need to focus on educating young Rwandans who didn’t play a role in the genocide but are still struggling with a sense of belonging as a result of infiltration of genocide ideology by their families.

“Such a forum should be a reminder that we are Rwandans and will always stand by this, but also use this opportunity to pass it on to young ones, especially those who are struggling with a sense of belonging,” Mrs. Kagame said.

The First Lady insisted that to attain this objective, the involvement of the family as a core of rebuilding the country and its Ndi Umunyarwanda identity, must be a focal point.

“We cannot speak of Ndi Umunyarwanda without the family because it is the basis of raising a person with human values, to live with others and love their country,” Mrs. Kagame said.

Rwandans following the event in Belgium challenged parents to think of how they can educate youths to realize that being a Rwandan is a greater relation than any other, to change mindsets which don’t bring Rwandans together with a common goal and vision, but resentment and denial of progress made.

Research conducted by the unity and reconciliation commission have shown that families are at the forefront of spreading genocide ideology, to those and many other Mrs. Kagame urged them to use Ndi Umunyarwanda concept to rebuild their families to be a source of sustainable peace and development.

Mrs. Kagame advised that Rwandans should focus on being dedicated, perception, accountability, self-discipline and belief, confidence, modesty and humility, emotional intelligence, patience, honesty and doing a job well, so as to be examples and a light to others.

“Let Ndi Umunyarwanda be our constitutional idea, shield for the young ones and our protection that drives us to make Rwanda a peaceful place. Our wish as parents should be to pass on the Ndi Umunyarwanda legacy which is above all,” Mrs. Kagame said.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s UC Forum was also held in different sites located in Kigali city and four provinces and unlike in past forums, the event was not able to recognize with medal of “umurinzi w‘igihango” (medal of heroism) awarded annually to individuals who have played a significant role in building unity and reconciliation.

Participants and panelists at the forum emphasized the need to put more efforts in educating and training parents and use of social media to promote unity and reconciliation.