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.
Dr. Biruta said this on Wednesday while addressing the media in Kigali on the current affairs on local, regional, and global issues.
Asked about the recent comments made by the Burundi’s President Maj. Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye that Rwanda is holding hostage Burundian refugees, Biruta said that the claims are false because Rwanda has expressed the desire to facilitate the repatriation process.
“The numbers we have indicate that Rwanda hosts 71,973 Burundian refugees at the moment, the third-highest number of Burundian refugees hosted by any country. One can only claim that the ones in Rwanda have been held hostage after the refugees in other countries have returned home, which is not true,”
“Before the COVID-19, which led to the closure of borders, it should be noted that at least 200 Burundian refugees would return home. Nobody stopped them. The fact that they are not going home now is because of the border closures but Rwanda has no interest in keeping the refugees,” Minister Biruta said.
Dr Biruta added that Rwanda has an international obligation to welcome refugees escaping trouble but has no interest in keeping them. He said that whatever was done was in line with the protocol to protect refugees in peril.
“As we speak, tomorrow there is a technical meeting involving all parties, to discuss the modalities of how these refugees can be facilitated to return home even at this time of COVID-19,” he added, pointing out that the process is facilitated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
“We have about 136 Burundian citizens who had come to Rwanda for different reasons at the time the borders were closed, including those who had come to seek treatment. They requested to return home and they were denied the right to do so. They have been stranded here. The Burundian Embassy in Rwanda approached us and requested us to facilitate their repatriation and we did our part but Burundi refused to welcome them back. Some were known and had been cleared to travel hear for treatment but after that they could not be allowed to return home,” Dr Biruta said.
Dr Biruta said that it is surprising that Bujumbura would accuse Kigali of holding Burundian refugees’ hostage yet they cannot allow back their own citizens.
Dr Biruta also spoke about the recent comments by the Burundian leader that his government is not interested in pursuing friendly ties with a ‘cunning and dishonest neighbour’, pointing out that Rwanda would not force Burundi to work on bettering relations.
“What I can say is that for us we remain ready to work with our neighbours to improve relations. For two countries to co-exist well there must be the will on both sides. What we learned is that Burundi is not interested in improving relations,” Dr Biruta said.
He said that Rwanda would not go into responding to some of the allegations or attacks apart from clearing the air on outstanding issues without exchanging words with the Burundian leadership.
Since Monday, August 10, RNP has deployed its vehicles and motorcycles mounted with loud speakers to convey the Dos and Don’ts designed to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Vehicles and motorcycles are trekking through markets, trading centres, residential areas and streets spreading safety message to further influence behavioural change and positive actions in line with the government directives and other instructions meant to curb the spread of the pandemic.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the campaign is in line with the current situation when almost all businesses have resumed, but some of them don’t follow the safety instructions in provision of their services.
“The government put much effort in containing the virus and created a safe atmosphere for most of the services to resume. However, we can’t lean back; the virus is still in our midst and transmitted by the people, who breach the recommended safety behaviours and practices. We are still in a fragile period when individual hygiene and safety choices our sole protection against COVID-19,” CP Kabera said.
He observed that there are some individuals and business owners, whose actions still pose a threat to safety, and which can derail the national efforts to fight the pandemic.
“The message is clear; wear a facemask properly covering your mouth and nose at all times you leave your home; wash or sanitize your hands as many times as possible; maintain social distancing… at least one metre between you and another person; there are also safety instructions when in the vehicle or taxi-moto, which must be adhered to.”
Social distancing, washing hands before boarding and wearing facemask are also compulsory in public service vehicles.
For those using motos, sanitizing hands, having own fabrics to be worn inside a helmet and paying transport fares using cashless services are the prerequisite.
The campaign also emphasizes the 15 and 30 maximum numbers for civil and religious marriage, respectively.
The directives also provide not more than 30 people for the burial ceremony.
Equally, religious services are only allowed after inspection and upon approval by local leaders, and continuously adhering to safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health; businesses are encouraged to embrace cashless payment systems.
The general public are urged to do away with the culture of shaking hands and hugging; sports activities are done individually and sports businesses prohibited; entertainment, bars, parties and other social gatherings in homes and public places as well as betting businesses are not allowed.
CP Kabera said: “We are still seeing people undermining these safety guidelines, including movements beyond 9PM. As usual, the RNP way of policing is through awareness and education for the people to understand what is required of them; enforcement follows smoothly, as the public takes ownership of the process.
We believe that when people are informed they also make informed and appropriate decisions, and this is the basis of this campaign.”
“This is not the time to lean back and relax, but rather a period to take utmost individual responsibility to strengthen prevention actions against COVID-19 in all aspects as we go about our errands.”
The public are urged to report any violations on 112 (emergency toll-free line) and 0788311155 (WhatsApp) as well as all other RNP known communication channels including social media platforms.
His death was announced by the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF- Ikotanyi) via Twitter.
“On behalf of the @rpfinkotanyi family, the Secretary General Hon. François Ngarambe joins in mourning the family of Ambassador Kamali Karegesa who passed away on Tuesday due to illness,”
“Ambassador Kamali will be remembered for his dedication and service to the country. May God grant him eternal rest,” reads the statement.
The Late Karegesa served in different government positions;he served as the Rwandan High Commissioner to South Africa, after working in similar capacity in Uganda.
Karegesa also worked as the Executive Secretary of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO).
Before he passed, Karegesa was working at the secretariat of the ruling RPF-Inkotanyi, where he was an advisor on diplomacy.
