Ange Ingabire Kagame and her husband, Bertrand Ndengeyingoma gave birth to their first child on Sunday, July 19, 2020.
In a message via her Twitter account, Ange Kagame thanked the team that helped her in the course of delivering. Sources at the hospital indicate that the team was led by Col. Dr Eugene Ngoga, one of the country’s leading Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists.
“To the incredible team of Doctors, Nurses & Midwives @kfaisalhospital-Thank you very much for making our experience and stay what it was. We were in great hands. God bless you all,” she tweeted.
She expressed her appreciation to all those who sent her and her family messages of congratulations and good wishes
“Thank you very much to everyone that sent our growing family very kind congratulatory messages. We are blessed to be this little angel’s parents,”
President Paul Kagame announced the birth of his first grandchild on Monday, congratulating Ange and her husband Ndengeyingoma.
“Since yesterday we are very happy and ‘officially’ grandparents. Congratulations A&B!! ..:):):) What a joy!?” Kagame wrote on his twitter handle,” adding that the first time is even more exciting.
On March 16, 2020, the Ministry of Education announced that schools were to close to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
During a Cabinet meeting on April 30, 2020, the Government of Rwanda announced that in a new strategy to combat the spread of Coronavirus, schools would remain closed until September. However, the reopening dates have not been announced yet.
Dr Ngirente, when presenting to Parliament a picture of the Government’s action in the fight against the COVID-19, was asked how the country was preparing for the schools to reopen in September.
“Children are missing out on the learning; one will tell you I miss so and so and when I see them, I will hug them big time,” said MP Ruku Rwabyoma adding:” I am very much concerned with the plan to reopen schools in September when we still have so many COVID-19 cases. Won’t it be exposing our children?”
Rwabyoma was stating the understanding that with 50 children in one class, social distancing won’t even be possible.
MP Frank Habineza also pointed out that the infrastructure that will allow the schools to reopen are not yet ready, saying that the government started a project to build 22,000 new classrooms to prepare the reopening of schools. The schools are not yet ready, he said.
To all the concerns and more, the Prime Minister stated that the government has given itself until mid-August to take the final decision in regard to the school reopening.
“Reopenig schools is crucial; they are little children. We cannot rush the decision to reopen. We shall be really careful about it,” said the Prime Minister.
Ngirente said that the decision to reopen will also depend on the readiness of 22,500 new school classrooms under construction across the country.
During the closure of the schools, the Rwanda Education Board (REB) introduced a technology to help children continue to attend classes including Radio and TV programs and content uploaded on websites.
Currently, the service is only given to people who come into contact with confirmed cases and people with high-risk of contracting the virus such as cross-border traders and truck-drivers and repatriated Rwandans, among the selected ones during random testing exercise.
“We will be soon providing Covid-19 testing to Rwandans and foreigners who are going outside the country,” said Dr. Daniel Ngamije, Minister for Health.
The service, he said, will be provided at the National Reference Laboratory, in Kigali, at a cost of around Rwf50,000 per test to Rwandans and $100 per test to foreigners, starting next week.
“There are some guidelines that are yet to be approved by RBC in this regard, but we expect this process to end this week and then begin providing the service. It shall be accessed to everyone who is in need of it as long as they have the means,” said Julien Mahoro Niyigabira, Head of Communication at RBC.
He also said that accurate results are obtained after two tests, leaving a period of 7 days between the two tests.
Rwanda has a total of 1629 confirmed cases including 47 new cases recorded yesterday of whom 838 have recovered. So far, 5 people have succumbed to the virus.
The facility caters to visitors looking for comfort and homeliness, all at an affordable price.
Located in one of Kigali’s calmest and greenest areas, the Guest House offers privacy with a friendly, efficient staff that is ready to assist with suggestions of the city’s hidden treasures and other sights to visit, allowing you to get the most out of your stay in Rwanda.
“We believe in taking the bed and breakfast business to the next level. We chose Rwanda because it is easy doing business here and there are low-risk factors. We believe Rwanda to be the African Giant when it comes to tourism and hospitality. Let’s not forget about the security, which can be seen as you stroll through the streets of Kigali by night.” Says Empathy Manor’s Management.
Empathy Manor Guest House catches the eye with its impressive garden terrace, in which one can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or relax with an iced drink on a late afternoon. Guests will as well benefit from a continental breakfast.
“We are ready to welcome both locals and internationals and give them an experience that will be memorable.”
Empathy Manor is a subsidiary of Empathy Collections LLC. based in the US. The Guest House offers accommodations with a bar, free private parking, among others. The guesthouse has family rooms which include a wide and spacious balcony. Guests can also enjoy free WiFi for their use.
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/
It was a day of great rejoicing for those who were able to gather in places of worship and pray, 127 days after the churches were closed.
However, some places of worship postponed their reopening due to the fact that some have yet to line up their requirements; the ones that have been completed have been cleared while others are waiting.
IGIHE journalists went to the City of Kigali, as well as in other parts of the country, to see how the standard operating procedures were being followed.
Social distancing was the order of the day and there were no handshakes or hugs, which are the known modes of greeting among the faithful. Mass celebrants and the clergy wore masks and there was no holy communion.
After a temperature check and handwashing with clean water or hand sanitizer, believers went through their registration so that they can be monitored easily when needed.
Many of those who had turned up for the Sunday services returned home without attending due to overcrowding.
At ADEPR Muhima it was necessary to set up loudspeakers outside so that people could follow the teachings, while also continuing to be sensitized to follow the instructions.
Pastor Théogène Kanamugire, leader of the ADEPR Muhima, said they were well prepared to receive people while respecting the Coronavirus prevention measures.
“It is a happy day, we ask Christians that as we are rejoicing, we should observe the instructions,” said Pastor Kanamugire.
At the Cathedral of St Michel Parish, a digital system has been put in place to help members register and place people in such a way that allows them to know who will be attending what mass.
Father Innocent Consolateur, head priest at Saint-Michel Cathedral said the digital system works perfectly and makes it easier for people not to waste time registering on the church line.
“In the English Mass at 3 p.m., many were using this digital system and there was no problem. It also has a better approach when reporting to the relevant authorities,” he said.
In the Western Province, there are some districts that saw Christians gathering such as Rubavu, while others such as Rusizi have held meetings but churches allowed to open are only in Kamembe Sector.
In Musanze, when arriving at the church, a group of trained people were testing temperature using special devices, others were writing down people and phone numbers at the entrances of churches.
In the Eastern province, home to almost 4000 churches; only 45 of them were allowed to reopen, these churches are in 6 districts except in Gatsibo, where no church was allowed to open.
The biggest percentage of the Sunday figures is from Kigali.
The Ministry of Health on the update tweet wrote “Kigali: 34 high-risk isolated cluster. Rusizi returned 3 cases, Rubavu: 3, Rutsiro:1, Nyabihu:1 and Nyamasheke:1.”
Rwanda still has 743 active cases while deaths are five, including an 88-year-old woman recorded on July 18.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Rwanda allowed worship places to be reopened.
Kinuma is also the former CEO of digital payments fintech Mobicash and brings with him strong experience in digital payments, SMEs, the public sector, and technology.
Kinuma will be responsible for growing TransUnion Rwanda’s range of information solutions, that help businesses make more informed decisions and consumers manage their personal information and access financial products and services.
TransUnion’s Senior Director for Africa, Chad Reimers, said the Rwanda market was ‘a critical part’ of TransUnion Africa’s portfolio growth strategy, and that he was confident that the business would continue to grow and reach its potential under Kinuma’s leadership.
“Emile brings an extensive understanding of the Rwandan marketplace and a strong ability to help leverage TransUnion’s global data, analytics, and technology capabilities to help businesses and consumers transact with confidence,” said Reimers.
Kinuma has in-depth knowledge of the Rwandan financial sector; his experience in telecoms, finance, media and entertainment, and airline industries is garnered both in Rwanda and internationally.
“I’m excited to be part of TransUnion, and I look forward to deepening our relationships with clients, consumers, and wider stakeholders. I want to engage the financial and digital lending communities to deliver great experiences and help create more economic opportunities,” said Emile.
Kinuma was last week, invited in the acclaimed television show Under 40 CEOs, which seeks to research, celebrate and expose the business leaders of the not-so-distant future and tell the stories of these young business leaders in Africa with a focus on the journey, the process, and their proposed destination.
In his interview, he explained that his choice to work in Rwanda was due to the fact that he saw the potential of growth and he wanted to be part of it.
“Africa compared to the West is a small pie that is growing very quickly. So get in first and at the right time and you are just going to be growing,” said Kinuma
Emile earned a Master of Science degree in administration from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University.
The reminder comes after hundreds of people especially motorists, who were found violating the curfew since April, disregarded instructions given to them by Police officers enforcing the curfew.
A report by the Traffic and Road Safety Department indicate that since April, 498 motorists, who were found violating the curfew in different parts of the country, disregarded Police instructions to park at provided lots and to go to allocated centers. They instead drove or rode away.
The report further indicates that the majority 495 motorists, who disregarded the Police instructions, occurred in City of Kigali.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said warned against such “disrespectful behaviors and undermining instructions given by the authority.”
He observed that the directives are meant to ensure the safety of everyone from the pandemic of Coronavirus, and must be respected as well as those charged with enforcing them.
“First and foremost, people should respect the curfew; 9 PM should find you home; it is not the time to start heading home. Secondly, when you are stopped, abide and go where you are instructed to go or take your automobile.
When you undermine instructions given to you by the authority, in this case by Police officers enforcing the curfew, you will be arrested,” CP Kabera said.
He reminded the general public that the centers where people are required to go during curfew hours are not “detention or prison facilities” but rather central grounds used to control movements during curfew hours as well as sensitization centers wide enough for social distancing, where people are educated on the pandemic and safety practices.
“At 5 AM, everyone in these centers goes back home or is free to go for individual errands. When you disrespect Police officers, disregard their orders and run away, remember you have left your particulars behind; you will be located and arrested,” the spokesperson warned.
He advised everyone, who run away and whose particulars were confiscated, to be responsive, come forward and report to the Traffic and Road Safety department head offices at Muhima in Kigali or at Regional Police Headquarters and District Police Units where their documents were confined, not later than Friday July 24.
Those who will not comply, he said, will be located and arrested
Places of worship or prayer services are only permitted to resume under the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Local Government and upon approval by local authorities.
The guidelines were put in place to curb the spread of novel Coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Humdun Twizeyimana, the Eastern Region Police Spokesperson said that they were found praying in the wild, which was risky and contrary to the government directives.
“Residents gave us information that people are violating the directives put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus and gathered for prayers. During the operation, we found 42 people from different faith groups gathered at the mountain at about 2 PM,” CIP Twizeyimana explained.
He added: “They were all aware that what they were doing is prohibited but chose to do it anyway. They chose to undermine the directives and put their lives in danger.
These people came from different places, gathered on that mountain, and one infected person could easily contaminate others and spread the virus.”
They have been isolated at a premise in Rugarama sector.
CIP Twizeyimana warned against breaching the government orders and derailing efforts to combat the pandemic of COVID-19.
“People should understand that such prohibited gatherings don’t only put their lives at stake but also those of others in their families and communities, and hampering the government efforts to combat the virus. Such behaviors shouldn’t be tolerated and should be reported,” the spokesperson said.
CIP Twizeyimana reminded members of the public to also follow other health and hygiene guidelines put in place, especially washing hands, avoiding handshakes, and wearing facemasks.
He further warned that whoever breaches the directives meant to contain the spread of COVID-19 will be arrested.
Kigali’s cluster has continued to drive the increase in COVID-19 cases with 30 out of 38 new cases coming from the capital city; the cases from Kigali are concentrated in one controlled place, not scattered across the city.
Nyabihu district which has been having big numbers, from Western Province, had 7 cases and Kirehe district in Eastern Province bordering with Tanzania registered one case.
No case was identified in Rusizi district which saw the lockdown eased by cabinet meeting yesterday.
Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) said on Wednesday that the district is registering success stories in the fight against COVID-19.
“COVID-19 situation in @RusiziDistrict is improving, we commend continuous efforts of local leaders, population & response teams @RwandaWest,” he said.
The new cases brought the total number of confirmed cases to 1,473 including 699 active cases, while the recoveries constitute the biggest cases with 770 recovered patients. So far, the pandemic has claimed 4 lives.
