The Minister of Local Government, Prof. Shyaka Anastase, via Twitter, told the public that this should mean something to them and intensify measures to prevent and protect others from the pandemic.
“Today, COVID-19 killed two people. This is the first time in Rwanda that we lose more than one person in1, one day. ! This should mean something to all of us: to protect ourselves, to protect our people, to protect the nation, NOW! Whatever you do, wherever you are, do not ignore it, it is deadly!”
Since the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Rwanda on March 14, 2020, the country now has 2577 confirmed cases recorded from 342,614 test samples, 1683 are recoveries while 884 are still in hospital and ten have died.
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.
“Condolences to families of two Rwandans 45 years old and 55-year-old who passed away today,” wrote the Ministry of Health in the August 18 update.
On the same day, the country also confirmed 37 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 2577 and the active cases, 884.
The update also states that of the new cases Kigali recorded 28 these are contacts of positive cases & testing in high risk groups, Rusizi has 6 cases while Rwamagana, Rubavu and Huye each recorded one case.
Rwanda has so far registered 1,683 recoveries after 22 patients who were discharged on August 18.
The general public is very much concerned by the increasing number of cases in the capital Kigali that has led to the closure of two big markets of Nyabugogo-Kwa Mutangana and the Kigali City Market.
The Minister of Health said that they will conduct a general test in the near future to see whether another lockdown could be an option to consider.
Symptoms of Coronavirus include coughing, colds, and difficulty in breathing; it is 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.
Victor Okorafor of Empathy Manor Bed and Breakfast, has had a discussion with RHA Chairman with whom they touched a range of business ideas and approaches towards boosting the hospitality sector in Rwanda. The discussion is shared on their YouTube channel.
RHA is one of the five Associations that make up the Chamber of Tourism. The Chamber of Tourism is one of the ten professional Chambers that currently exists under Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF).
As its members, RHA brings together players in the hospitality sector such as hotels, resorts, apartments, restaurants, game lodges, guest houses, night clubs, eco-lodges, coffee shops, and bars.
Nsengiyumva says that doing business in Rwanda is much easier than in any other country in the region so far.For one to get an operational license to start his/her business, for example, one only needs to apply online and to follow the guidelines designed by Rwanda development Board [RDB].
He says the main function of RHA is to represent the common interests of members in the Hospitality Industry through advocacy for industry-friendly legislation, promotion of quality products and services, offering value added member services, as well as to be the resource for industry information and education to members, their employees, government, media, and all other interested parties.
“As a committee, we are here to represent the association, it is the body that tries to be the voice of the members.”
When explaining the structure of the association, Nsengiyumva said “We have a structure that is segmented at different levels; on national level we have a committee composed of 5 people. Country wide, we have 18 zones and the structure keeps on going up to the grassroots level; every district has its own committee that organizes meetings bringing together members in the area to share experiences, but alsodo capacity building where needed.”
RHA also helps with strengthening the marketing systems of their members’ businesses through different channels.
“We support members’ marketing activities via our websites. We also produce magazines that we distribute in different embassies here in Rwanda and abroad.
Other than that, we do participate in international marketing forums like ITV and attend international tourism exhibitions in Europe where we share our portals and establish business contacts, detailing the different hospitality experiences our country has to offer,” says Nsegiyumva.
Nsengiyumva said that the association also works in partnership with the government to set guidelines and policies for the hospitality sector making sure to contribute ideas that will benefit members.
Get affordable room rates , book and stay with Empathy Manor on our website.
For more news and details regarding Empathy Manor Guest House, and other insightful details on Rwanda, Hospitality, and Tourism, please visit Empathy Manor’s blog: https://empathymanor.com/blog/
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Azerah Musabyimana, 38, was arrested in Nyarugenge District, Kimisagara Sector, Kimisagara Cell in Amahoro Village with 5,082 pellets of cannabis.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theogene Kariwabo, the acting District Police Commander of Nyarugenge said the successful operation followed credible information shared by a resident, who was aware of Musabyimana’s criminal dealings.
“A neighbour, who knew Musabyimana’s criminal business, decided to do the right thing, came forward to report and prevent her dealings,” CIP Kariwabo said.
“Musabyimana was arrested red-handed with 5,082 pellets of cannabis, which she was at the time selling to some of her clients. She was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau in Kimisagara,” he added.
Musabyimana had just relocated to Amahoro Village for a month from Rubavu District where she was previously running her criminal business.
In an attempt to prevent being detected and arrested, Musabyimana started a small grocery business, which she was using as cover.
Musabyimana’s supplier was also arrested recently.
Her arrest came a day after a group of seven other drug dealers was arrested in Gasabo District with 10kgs and 13,200 pellets of cannabis.
CIP Kariwabo, who thanked those who provided information on Musabyimana’s criminal dealings, said that the ongoing operations are aimed at breaching chains of supply.
The building had two sections including a restaurant and a warehouse of various types of merchandise. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Kabagema Investment Company treasurer, Dady Tumukunde, said that all of the goods lost in the fire had no insurance.
“We don’t know what caused the fire because we only open the warehouse to pack the goods to be sold. Not all of the contents were covered by the insurance. Only Rwf 50 million worth of goods were covered; which is what we are going to monitor to see if the insurance can help us.” Said Tumukunde
Faustin Nzabonimpa, the owner of the building, said that even though he had insurance, he will suffer losses.
“I had fire insurance, but just because I had it doesn’t mean I didn’t face losses; see from now on the building will be closed as I follow up on this insurance, this might even take more than a month,” said Nzabonimpa.
The warehouse contained foodstuffs, oils, candles, and a variety of other items. A preliminary census showed that the damage was estimated to Rwf100 million.
The Nyabugogo market located at Kwa Mutangana, and Kigali City Market also known as Nyarugenge Market and the businesses in their vicinity were closed for one week, effective August 17 by the city of Kigali.
The development comes after more than 300 new cases were traced in Kigali in the last three days, largely traced in the two markets.
“All traders in the two markets and the businesses in their vicinity should stay at home in effort to prevent more spread of COVID-19.” Said Nyarugenge district statement, where the two markets are located.
Traders with perishable commodities were given 24 hours, starting on August 17, to find potential buyers.
They were also instructed to do two COVID-19 tests on August 17 and August 23 respectively.
“Anyone who will not comply with this will not be allowed to use their stand when the markets reopen,” reads the statement.
Moreover, the wholesalers who used to supply the food commodities to the two markets that were closed, were given alternative sites where to sell their commodities from.
Vegetables and fruits suppliers will be meeting their clients at Groupe Scolaire Kanyinya-Nyarugenge district which is located on Shyorongi hill.
Other wholesalers of the same commodities in other areas were given Gitikinyoni market and other parts of the city, while irish potatoes traders will use the Nzove Warehouses in Nyarugenge district.
On Monday, numbers were still high with 87 new COVID-19 cases in Rwanda which took the total confirmed cases to 2540 cases and the active cases to 871.
According to the Ministry of Health, the results were obtained from 4,018 sample tests conducted in the last 24 hours.
The total number of confirmed cases stands is now 2,540; of which Kigali: 59 were from those tested in Nyabugogo Market, Rusizi: 25 these are from the testing in high risk groups, Huye: 2, Nyamasheke: 1
On the same day, the country reported 13 new recoveries, raising the number of recoveries to 1,661.
A statement was released to instruct traders of whom were working in the two big markets closed in Kigali following big numbers of COVID-19, to test for COVID-19 and to stay at home to avoid more spread of the pandemic.
“Anyone who will not comply with this, will not be allowed to use their stand when the markets reopen,” reads part of the statement.
The country has carried out 338,288 Covid-19 sample tests since mid-March and has a record of 8 people who succumbed to the pandemic.
On Sunday, August 16, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije noted that tests within all markets in Kigali and other high-risk zones will kick off this week to determine the next steps which may as a last resort see the imposing of another lockdown.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) John Niyibizi, the District Police Commander (DPC) of Huye, said that Ntahomvukiye was arrested at his home where he was, at the time, distilling illicit brew locally known as Ibikwangari.
“We had information from residents of Gishamvu about two people in their area, who had ventured in producing illicit drinks, specifically ibikwangari and Kanyana,” SSP Niyibizi said.
“In response, we caught Ntahomvukiye at his home distilling ibikwangari; he had already distilled about 1,000 litres, which he was taking to the market.
We also seized about 250 other litres, which another suspect, still on the run, was processing to make kanyanga,” the DPC added.
“The substances were disposed of publicly, an event during which residents were sensitized on the ill-effects of consuming these drinks. Citizens were also educated on their role in fighting production and distribution of these substances, through information sharing.”
He observed that these substances have also been blamed for other crimes including assault, gender based violence and theft.
The DPC further warned that such unlawful acts can also spread COVID-19 in this period, especially during distribution and in local bars where they are consumed.
They were caught at about 9PM in the house of one Uwizeye Liberatha, 30, located in Kiramuruzi Sector, Gakenke Cell in Akarusisi Village.
Chief Insepector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the group was “congested in a small room of two-by-three meters,”
They included 20 men and three women, with the majority of them members of ADEPR church. Others are from Anglican and Catholic churches.
“They had violated the directives in all aspects; illegal and risky gathering, they came from different places, no social distancing, no one was wearing a facemask and it was time when everyone was supposed to be in their respective homes,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “Such gatherings are prohibited, unnecessary movements and home visits are not allowed. These people came from different places and in any case where one of them was infected, it was easy to infect all others who were in that house, not forgetting how many each one of them would infect in their respective homes and communities, an act that can ultimately lead the country back into lockdown crisis.” CIP
All the 23 violators were taken to Kiramuruzi Police station where they were enlightened on the government directives and safety practices against COVID-19.
The incident came few days after other 24 people in Rusizi District were found praying in a hot spring in Mashyuza valley, Nyamabuye Sector.
Police reminds the general public against breaching the directives and calls for sharing of information on any violators in their communities.
A statement issued by RDB states that the Government of Rwanda prioritizes support for the private sector and thus RDB is looking for investors who can buy the property in a fair and transparent competitive bidding process.
“The purpose of this tender notice is to identify potential companies and/or consortiums with the requisite technical and financial capacity to purchase and operate the hotel,” it said.
One of the key factors for an investor who will take over the Kacyiru-based hotel facility is to turn it into a five-star hotel within the shortest time possible.
RDB said it will work with the new investor to turn the hotel into a flagship that will meet various local and international environmental sustainable standards to attract local and international clients.
Umubano is one of the oldest hotels in Rwanda and had been acquired by Madhvani Group at a tune of $13 million in April 2017 after years under liquidation.
The hotel has been in the hands of several other investors, including the Libyan government-affiliated LAP Investments which operated it under Laico Hotels brand; it has also previously been managed by global hotel brands including Novotel, Meridian and Accord.
The Government has set September 11 as the closing date for submission of applications from potential bidders.
