Fourteen of the 20 new cases emerged in the Eastern Province district of
Rwamagana, which have not been among the hotspot districts since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the country in March this year.
The two deaths were also recorded in the same district, with the Ministry of Health revealing that the two were 45-year old males, passing on condolences to their families.
The Eastern Province districts of Kirehe, Nyagatare, Ngoma and now Rwamagana have registered several cases over the last months, mainly due exposure to cross-border infections, mainly linked to trucks or movement of goods.
The City of Kigali however continues to register few numbers, with just one among the new cases, Huye district in Southern Province has 3 while Kayonza and Kirehe districts have one each.
The total cases so far detected in Rwanda are 5,242, of whom 4,967 or 95 percent have recovered, while 237 remain active cases. A total of 571, 902 tests have been conducted, with 1,293 new tests conducted over the last 24 hours.
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.
The operations are aimed at implementing national directives meant to curb further spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that about 100 violators were caught in Landmark Suites located in Kagugu cell, Kinyinya Sector of Gasabo District on Sunday at about 1am, drinking.
“At about 1am on Sunday, Police received information about a large group of young people, who were gathered at Landmark Suites drinking.
Police officers deployed managed to arrest 100 people, most of them drunk, and took them to ULK ground in Gisozi. Many other violators, who were there also drinking managed to escape during the operation,” CP Kabera said.
The hospitality establishment had the previous day on Saturday hosted a wedding party. It is said that some of the invitees stayed back drinking, after the party ended.
“It was a big gathering at the time when everyone was supposed to be home. It is so unfortunate that after about nine months of awareness on the pandemic and prevention directives, we can still witness such serious violations,” CP Kabera emphasised.
Local authorities have since closed the hospitality establishment.
Meanwhile, 73 other violators were found drinking at a bar located in Kimironko Sector also in Gasabo District, and taken to Amahoro stadium
Other 58 were caught in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District including 10, who were found holding a birthday party in a home that had also been turned into a bar. They were taken to Kigali stadium.
The stadiums and other designated sites are used to control movements during prohibited movements hours (10pm to 4am) but also to educate those caught in varied violations on the pandemic, government directives as well as safety guidelines.
All the implicated hospitality facilities were closed in addition to fines applied to owners and all those caught in the violations.
CP Kabera warned owners and employees of hospitality establishments as well as the general public against breaching prevention directives and guidelines, putting other people at the risk of contracting COVID-19.
“Such inappropriate human behaviors can be the source of further spread of COVID-19 with the risk of taking Rwanda back to bad days of the pandemic including the lockdown. No one wants that, which means it is the responsibility of everyone to report such violations happening in your neighborhoods or whenever you witness such,” CP Kabera said.
As the government continues to ease and open some of the services, CP Kabera warned that this should not be perceived as an opportunity to operate beyond set safety guidelines but rather a moment to operate with “maximum compliance.”
“COVID-19 is still amongst us and it is spread by the people. We still see new infections and sadly, some people have succumbed to the virus. So, whatever you do and wherever you are running your errands, remember that you can be the source or someone next to you can infect you.
Avoid unnecessary movements, go home early, wear a facemask, wash or sanitize your hands regularly, observe physical distancing, avoid unnecessary or prohibited gatherings and report violators. Fighting COVID-19 is the responsibility of everyone through maximum compliance and reporting violations.”
“President Kagame and the Government of Rwanda have congratulated U.S. President-elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris upon their victory;
“We look forward to building on the strong partnership between our countries,” the President’s Office tweeted on Sunday.
It was on Saturday, after four days of voting, that Democratic Party candidate Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. defeated Donald Trump in a landslide victory.
Biden, 78, pipped incumbent Trump in one of the U.S most competitive elections, garnering 50.6 percent of the total votes cast, equivalent to 75,198,127 -the highest number of votes to be received by any U.S Presidential candidate, giving him 290 electoral college votes, compared to Trump’s 214.
Kamala Harris, on the other hand, became the first female Vice President in the history of America, and the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the second most coveted position in U.S politics.
MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) is the most widely used platform for payments in Rwanda. By availing the MoMo API, developers and programmers can innovate on the platform and develop products and solutions that will create a wider range of digital financial offerings for MTN’s 3.2 million MoMo customers.
“We’re excited to announce the official opening of the MoMo API. As technology evolves, our ambition is to lead digital for a brighter Rwanda and opening the MoMo API further emphasises this ambition by giving local developers an opportunity to innovate and build products that will enhance financial inclusion and improve customer experience when making payments,” said MTN CEO, Mitwa Ng’ambi.
The Mobile Money API can be accessed by developers online through https://momoapi.mtn.co.rw/
“Previously, developers had to physically come to MTN and undergo a lengthy integration process. Now they can do it from the comfort of their homes. The online system provides an option for developers to test their products prior to go-live using an API sandbox available at no cost on the website,” added Ng’ambi.
The availability of the API will give a chance to innovators to be able to monetise their products as they stimulate the growth of the MoMo ecosystem in Rwanda.
Once an application is tested successfully, MTN will align on commissions with the developers, sign contracts and invite them on the live environment for the open APIs.
To further foster innovation and enhance financial inclusion, MTN is inviting developers and entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 – 35 to participate in the MTN Yolo Hackathon and win up to Rwf2,000,000. The Hackathon will go live on 15th January 2021.
Commenting on the Hackathon, Ng’ambi said, “The MTN Yolo Hackathon further illustrates our commitment to being a partner that is open to collaboration with members of the developer community. Shared value creation that enables shared prosperity is at the heart of everything that MTN does.
We celebrate the role that collaboration can play in ensuring that more people enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.”
Individuals participating in the Hackathon are expected to address challenges and come up with solutions that are feasible, scalable, inclusive and revenue generating in these 4 sectors.
A call for applications, terms and conditions as well as regulations of the MTN Yolo Hackathon will be announced by the end of November 2020 and will be posted on the MTN Website www.mtn.co.rw.
For any questions on the MoMo API or the upcoming MTN Yolo Hackathon, interested parties can get in touch with MTN via momo.RW@mtn.com.
Rotary clubs have for long been contributing to improving the quality of water supply, quality of education, fighting epidemics, ignorance and poverty, protecting the environment and promoting peace.
Assistant District Governor – District 9150, Rugera Jeannette, said the donations raised by the Rotary Club are in line with continued promotion of hygiene.
“This support to the schools is meant to fight the Covid-19. We as Rotary Club Rwanda have not stayed behind. We found it good to join the government, especially now that some children have returned to school, and others will be joining them soon. There are still need for handwashing stations.”
She added that the campaign was going to start in Kigali but will be scaled to other districts.
“Right now we are going to start with five schools, three in Kigali and two in other districts,” She said. “This is a great start, but it will continue to be a great way to get kids to wash as much as possible.”
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, Rotary clubs have joined hands with others to help those affected by the spread of the pandemic, including feeding the needy and the unemployed, buying facemasks for the needy and providing medical equipment to health workers.
Baguma Rose, Director General of the Ministry of Education for Policy and Planning, told IGIHE that they already have plans to expand bathrooms in schools, praising the Rotary club’s role in the fight against COVID-19.
“As MINEDUC, we are very grateful to the Rotary Club for their support in helping us to build a place for children to go to school,” she said.
“Nowadays, children are starting to go back to school but you know that one of the strategies put in place by the Ministry of Health includes regular washing throughout the day, wearing masks and other measures. So this is one of the ways we can help protect children from COVID-19 infection while they are at school. ”
In Rwanda, Rotary is made up of six clubs including Musanze, Kigali Mont Jali, Kigali Virunga, Kigali Doyen, Gasabo and Butare with 122 members.
The Ambassador participated in the Mass of Sunday, November 8, at Regina Pacis Catholic Church; where the Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, who embraced the presence of H.E Hazza Alqahtani, led the Mass.
H.E Hazza Alqahtani thanked the Cardinal for allowing him to participate in the Mass.
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was founded in 1971; it is a constitutional federation of seven emirates that include Abu Dhabi the capital and Dubai the economic capital. There are over 200 nationalities living in harmony & coexistence in the UAE today and every major religion is practiced; the expatriate community outnumbers the population of UAE nationals.”
According to the Ambassador, the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed was tolerant and called all people to be tolerant themselves, to accept others and coexist with them regardless of color, religion, or beliefs.
“He did this using his compassionate fatherly style, wisdom, and gentle words done with ease and spontaneity to reach the hearts and minds of listeners.” He said
“Diversity, openness, religious tolerance all align with Emirati adherence to moderate Islam, a guiding principle of the UAE’s national identity since 1971. As emphasized by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi H.E. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE is a nation of tolerance, peace, cultural diversity, and coexistence.” H.E Alqahtani said
The Ministry of Tolerance was created in 2016 and the UAE declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance & issuance of Document on Human Fraternity.
On February 4th, 2019 His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church and spiritual leader to 1.2 billion devotees, arrived in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first pontiff ever to visit the Arabian Peninsula.
“During this momentous visit, Pope Francis met with His Eminence Grand Imam Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed al-Tayyib. The two religious leaders signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.”
The Document of Human Fraternity calls for an end to the use of religion as a justification for war, violence, and harm and opposes extremism in all forms. This historic document presents a series of guidelines, which denounce violence in the name of religion and urge the adoption of a culture of dialogue and mutual cooperation as a code of conduct and reciprocal understanding.
“His Holiness Pope Francis said and I quote…. “This visit to the United Arab Emirates belongs to the “surprises” of God. So let us praise Him and His providence, and pray that the seeds sown may bring forth fruits of peace”.”
H.E Alqahtani said that the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are united by the belief in one God, and all three share in a history connected to the patriarch Abraham.
In an increasingly polarized world, the UAE proposed a dedicated space for inter-faith dialogue.
“Religious tolerance and the embrace of diversity have been a part of the UAE story from the very beginning. And following this, last year I hosted at my Residence, an Inter-Faith Iftar that brought together the leaders of the different religious faiths in Rwanda including His Grace the Cardinal, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Richard Sezibera.”
The UAE unveiled plans for the Abrahamic House of Fraternity on September 20th, 2019 in New York alongside the UN General Assembly.
“The Abrahamic Family House will be an interfaith complex currently in development in Abu Dhabi, a representation of the Document of Human Fraternity which will feature a church, a mosque, a synagogue and a secular welcome center on one shared site. Currently, in development, the project’s anticipated completion date has been set for the year 2022.”
“At the Abrahamic House of Fraternity, each of the three houses of faith, a mosque, a church, and a synagogue, will stand at the same height to symbolize equality. The design will highlight the often overlooked similarities between the three faiths and their corresponding architectural traditions.”
The Abrahamic House of Fraternity will act as a place for religious worship as well as a space for exhibitions, programs, conferences, and interfaith dialogue initiatives.
“The aim is to be in support of global and regional stability, increased collaborative opportunities of all kinds, expanded economic prosperity, strengthened international relations, and countering violent extremism in all forms, promoting cross-cultural education and promoting peace.”
He ended his remarks by thanking His Grace Cardinal Antoine Kambanda for the opportunity he was given to share Sunday mass with him.
Mrs. Kagame made the request as she welcomed 23 new Members of the club, which include 12 new members of the cabinet and their spouses, pointing out that inducting new members emphasizes the importance of the club and serves as a reminder of the uniqueness and mission of the organization, urging them to be bearers of light.
“Accepting them today makes us all reminisce about our uniqueness first and foremost. We started our family as a group of women, united by the fact that our spouses were members of cabinet or heads of different institutions of government,” Mrs. Kagame said.
She pointed out that Unity Club was founded at the time when the country was going through a difficult phase, characterized by anger, divisions, prejudice and mistrust as it grappled with the devastating effects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi; she said that had things remained as they were at the time, 24 years ago when Unity Club was founded, the country wouldn’t be where it is today.
“Our aim was to foster unity, especially since we had already seen that, when divisions and hate are given the front seat, the consequences are serious and long term,” Mrs Kagame said,
She added that the principle of Unity Club is that once you are a member, you are always a member, whether you are still in government or not.
“Our responsibility as torchbearers and as leaders in particular, we are committed to prioritizing Rwanda as a country, Rwandans as an identity and our unity as a people, which is what connects us,”
“We are determined to be the Light! Light brings us out of darkness, for where darkness is, there is much destruction,” she said.
She reminded the members of the club that the idea of coming together was to join efforts to support the government in the difficult journey of rebuilding a country, pointing out that when people join hands, they can overcome any challenge.
Mrs. Kagame said that Rwandan continues to have many detractors who use the internet and social media platforms to tarnish the image of the country and the progress it has made so far, urging members to use the same platforms to challenge the negative propaganda aimed at setting the country back to its dark past.
“We must never tolerate ideas whose aim to destroy Rwanda, and what we have already achieved. A Unity Club member should prioritize Rwandans and work for the betterment of our citizens, the community, and the nation as a whole,” adding that they must ensure that no one’s rights are violated.
“We continue to find users of technology who distort our history and want to destroy our unity. As members of Unity Club, we should as well use this technology to counter this misinformation since we know the truth and we have seen the results of our efforts speaking for themselves,”
The First Lady emphasized the importance of a united country, which she said is the bridge that will allow the country and the people to transition from its past characterized by divisions and ethnicity.
Reflecting on the recommendations of the 13th Forum, which took noted of the challenges facing unity and reconciliation, the First Lady called on members to continue efforts to foster the same, something she said is a calling to Unity Club members.
Among other challenges, Mrs. Kagame said that the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) highlighted challenges which remain an obstacle to unity and reconciliation, including denying the Rwandan identity, discrimination, harassing genocide survivors, distorting the country’s history, hiding and destroying evidence.
She urged members of the club to be at the forefront of fighting those vices and be the bearers of light which illuminates the world, emphasizing the need to continue spreading the good message, which she said is a vaccine that strengthens the oneness of Rwandans.
During the retreat, members of Unity Club took stock of the progress made, challenges and the future of the organization as well as solutions to challenges facing the Rwandan society today.
The former PM and his co- accused, Charles Sebushyana this Friday appeared before the Nyarugenge intermediate court, to face two charges which they committed as officials of the Christian University of Rwanda; offering and signing on bouncing cheques which were handed to different business partners, suppliers and breach of trust in not paying back loaned money which led to some of the victims incurring financial losses in their businesses.
Persons affected in this case filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the damages caused by Jean Bosco Ngabonziza who supplied computers (in a Rwf7.5million tender) to the university and was asked to pay a guarantee of Rwf10million.
Court heard again from prosecution that the supplier was not paid this amount even after supplying the good as agreed in the contract and the supplier was forced to look for more money to cover his financial tracks. Court also heard that PM Habumuremyi on personal level sought a personal loan of Rwf38million from one Charles Nkurunziza but refused to refund the money till to date.
Prosecution argued that the duo signed bouncing cheques to its debtors and used their person (as the President and DAF of the Christian University of Rwanda) which is criminal penal code on financial payments.
It is against this background that the prosecution sought their respective sentences requesting for former PM Habumuremyi a five year jail sentence and Rwf892million compensation for the count of offering and signing on bouncing cheques.
They also requested an addition three year jail term and Rwf1million for the alleged crime of betraying the trust of his debtors, of which prosecution asked court to find the intent in these actions; moreover, prosecution sought the confiscation of PM Habumuremyi’s house located in Gacuriro, Kinyinya sector Gasabo district.
Prosecution informed court that “this property has since the start of the trial been transferred in the names of Clement Uwajeneza with him they signed a transfer agreement but we want this property to be added to sources of the compensation requested.”
However Habumuremyi and his two defense lawyers told court that the defendant’s bank accounts have been freezed and property confiscated which is a setback in maintaining his family thus asked court to liberate the property involved.
On compensation, Habumuremyi said that he is innocent and there is no basis of being slapped with this punishment arguing that the cheques he offered were done in the name of the university and each of the debtors was supposed to be paid in portions.
“We have agreements with the persons whom we gave cheques. The payment arrangements were instead breached in the course of paying off some of them,” Habumuremyi said.
He asked court to release him on this basis and on grounds that he was suffering from heart, stomach and eye problems which he said were putting his life in danger.
On the same grounds, however his lawyers presented a different argument seeking Habumuremyi’s release saying that his case should be tried by a commercial court since it involves compensation of which a civil court doesn’t have competence.
His lawyer Jean Pierre Kayitare said that legally Habumuremyi offered the cheques as a guarantee for payments which were to be made and there was no law broken considering the law provision of payment using immovable property as an option of settling a payment.
However, prosecution said that in under such a context the parties would have sought a government registrar’s signature to legalize the said cheque payments as guarantees – which is only validated by the Rwanda Development Board.
Responding to this, Habumuremyi said there was no need to validate the arrangements and when the cheque holders complained over the unbanked cheques, he sought bank help to have him sign replacing cheque of which his accusers agreed to.
For Charles Sebushyana, the Prosecution asked a four year sentence and a compensation fine of Rwf87.5million on the alleged crime of endorsing as a signatory to the said cheques.
In his defense Sebushyana said that he was no longer an employee of the university and when he signed on the cheques, it was because the university sought his help as they had no DAF at the time to do the same.
Business partners in the Habumuremyi and Sebushyana case sought court to order the duo for compensation.
Victor Semuhoza, lawyer for Jean Bosco Ngabonziza asked court that Habumuremyi refunds Rwf17.5million to his client, over Rwf6million as compensationand lawyer fees plus interest on a bank loan taken to cover the delayed payment.
Semhoza also asked that one of the accused who is deemed to be able to pay immediately should be given the first task or alternative payment of this money collectively.
Emmanuel Uyisabye who represented Charles Nkurunziza for Rwf38million given to Habumuremyi said he wants the money refunded and over Rwf19million in compensation, value for money, lawyer fees, and case follow up among others.Court will on November 27, 2020 reconvene to take a decision on the above case.
The medal awarding ceremony was presided over by the head of UNMISS Field Office in Upper Nile State and representative of the SRSG in the region, Mr. Enos Chuma.
It was also attended by government and other UN officials, representatives of South Sudan National Police Services (SSNPS) and leaders in Internally Displaced Camps under the unit’s protection, among others.
The decorated hybrid force under Rwanda Formed Police Unit-One (RWAFPU-1) was deployed in Malakal, Upper Nile State in December last year where they are largely charged with the protection of civilians in internally displaced camps, UN personnel, security of key installations and humanitarian assistance, among others.
Mr. Chuma, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to the decorated men and women for their commitment to peace in Malakal, especially during this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that Rwanda placed trust in them and that they lived to that trust in the name of peace by tackling difficulties and hardships with professionalism.
“Today is one of those special days to recognize the unique contributions of RWAFPU-1 to the activities of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. We indeed cherish and appreciate your contributions during the period of your duty in Malakal,” Mr. Chuma said.
He commended their contribution to the efficient implementation of the UNMISS Protection of Civilian (POC) Mandate in Malakal, maintaining day and night patrols in IDP camps and neighborhoods adding that they are a “strong pillar behind the UN Police visibility” in Malakal.
He further thanked the medalists for their integrity, courage and professionalism in discharging their duties and providing an enabling and secure environment for humanitarian partners to provide life-saving support to the affected civilians in IDP camps.
“You adhered to the UN core values and regulations as well as code of conduct… you have not been implicated in any allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse since your arrival here in Malakal, and maintained your moral ethics. I thank you for the wonderful service for peace, professionalism and dedicated service to the people of South Sudan.
This UN Peace Medal presentation ceremony is a true recognition of your hard work, perseverance and relentless pursuit of peace,” Mr. Chuma said.
He further thanked the Rwandan women, who stand with their male counterparts in the name of peace.
“It is encouraging to always see men and women in your day and night patrols as well as guard duties. You have always put your women equally on the frontline and from all indications they have also distinguished themselves credibly in the discharge of their roles. This is reflective of your country’s global leadership in promoting gender parity at all levels of governance,” Mr. Chuma observed.
During the medal award ceremony, a moment of silence was also held in honour of late Police Constable (PC) Enid Mbabazi, who was part of the unit and succumbed to COVID-19 back in June.
RWAFPU-1 contingent commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Fabian Musinguzi said that late Mbabazi “went out of our sights but not our hearts.”
The contingent commander noted that they inherited a more stable but unpredictable environment in Malakal but added that they worked closely with all key security partners including other military and Police peacekeepers, civilians, humanitarian agencies to provide a conducive and secure environment for the people.
“Despite the challenges encountered during our deployment, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the harsh weather conditions and language barrier, we still managed to protect the IDPs in the POC camps and UN personnel as was required in our mandate,” CSP Musinguzi said.
He thanked the UNMISS leadership, the government and people of South Sudan as well as other peacekeepers for the support, which facilitated them to discharge their duties efficiently.
The contingent commander further commended the commitment, professionalism, teamwork and dedication of the officers under his command throughout their tour-of-duty and pledged Rwanda’s continued willingness to peacekeeping, whenever called for.
RWAFPU-1 is one of the three Rwanda Police contingents deployed in South Sudan, all with the strength of 560 officers.
Rwanda maintains over 1,000 Police officers in various UN missions, including in Central African Republic (CAR), Darfur and Abyei.
Two men allegedly ambushed Estone Himbaza at about 9 pm on Thursday and snatched her handbag, which contained Frw688, 000, a smartphone, electronic banking device and other personal particulars.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali said that the money and other stolen documents were recovered from one of the suspects identified as Emmanuel Hakizimana, who was also taken into custody.
“On Thursday at about 9pm, as Police officers were on their usual patrol in the area, they were stopped by residents, who informed them about a woman, who had just been ambushed and robbed by two men, taking her handbag, which contained money and other valuables. The residents directed Police officers towards the direction which the suspects had taken,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
“Police officers pursued and arrested one of the suspects—Emmanuel Hakizimana—at about 9:30pm, who was found in possession of the woman handbag that contained Frw516, 000, a smart phone, banking device and other documents that were in the names of Estone Himbaza. The recovered documents also helped to locate the victim,” the spokesperson added.
Hakizimana, who was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kanyinya station, has since disclosed his accomplice as one Gasongo.
According to Hakizimana, Gasongo is the one, who orchestrated the whole robbery plan.
CIP Twajamahoro said that law enforcement organs are working together to locate and arrest Gasongo.
He thanked the residents, who approached the Police and reported the criminal act, which facilitated quick recovery of the stolen items and arrest of one of the suspects.
The spokesperson said that such spirit by the public defines ‘neighborhood watch’ and ‘community policing’ in general.
Under article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Frw1 million and not more than Frw2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
However, in article 167, the penalty doubles if theft was carried out during the night or by more than one person.
