Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

In City of Kigali, 12 people were on Sunday, July 4, at 4:15pm, found gathered and drinking at Mojo Palace Motel located in Uwabarezi Village, Rubirizi Cell, Kanombe Sector of Kicukiro District.

In Huye District, 17 people were caught on Saturday at about 7pm, at the restaurant-turned-bar belonging to one Anatole Nshimiyimana located in Nyarurembo Village, Gitwa Cell, Tumba Sector.

The violators were showed to the media on Sunday, July 4.

Bars are still closed and all social gatherings including celebrations of all kinds are prohibited both in public and private settings under the government directives to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Eric Ndoli, 30, the manager of Mojo Palace motel, who was also arrested, while speaking to the media, could not explain as to why they opened the bar to customers even when they well knew that it was prohibited.

“I know it is prohibited and what we did was in violation of the government directives. I ask for forgiveness,” said Ndoli

Adalbert Rukebanuka, Kicukiro District Deputy Executive Administrator (DDEA) said that people must swallow their pride and jokes over the deadly virus and respect the directives.

“Twelve people were found seated drinking in this motel which is prohibited under the Covid-19 prevention directives. We have closed this motel and the manager alongside with clients will be fined,” said Rukebanuka

He added: “The directives are very clear and known to everyone. We have all experienced the wrath of Covid-19 with people still dying. People should wake up, see and understand how deadly this virus is, and observe the directives.”

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the violators were arrested due to the information provided by the local residents.

“Police received information at about 4pm that a group of people was gathered at Mojo Palace motel drinking. When Police officers arrived, they found 12 people congested in a small room of the motel drinking,” CP Kabera said.

“You might think that where you are there is no Police and you can flaut the directives, open your bar or any other prohibited services and events or hide your clients in rooms. However, remember that there are people around you who are observing what you are doing and feel the responsibility of reporting such deliberate violations to save lives,” he added.

“What we expect from everyone is maximum compliance with the directives. If you want to drink, buy your drinks and take them from your home but do not expose people or yourself to the virus by engaging in such gatherings.”

He equally called upon the youth especially students who have returned for their holidays, to stay home, avoid unnecessary movements and any practices that can expose them to Covid-19.

The violators in Kigali were taken to Kicukiro stadium. All the 29 violators in Kicukiro and Huye were also tested for Covid-19 at their own cost and handed administrative fines.

The statement released last night shows that 889 people have caught the virus. The majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 309, Musanze: 99, Gicumbi: 63, Bugesera: 56 and Rubavu: 52.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 42 585 people have been tested positive of whom 27 606 have recovered, 14 509 are active cases, 61 are critically ill while 470 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 391 954 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.

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 urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.

The bus plate number RAE 440N was being driven by one Daniel Ndayisaba, 35, with five passengers on board.

The passengers are identified as Dative Uwiringiyimana, 20, Godelieve Manikuze, 35, Isaac Niyikiza, 25, Theodore Nizeyimana Theodore, 22, and Nyirahinyuza, 30.

They boarded the bus from Nyamirambo stadium with each expected to pay Frw7,000 on arrival to Musanze.

One of the passengers, Isaac Niyikiza, who was in company with his spouse, said that they came to Kigali on June, 21, to sell stoves.

This was before movements between districts and between Kigali and other regions, was prohibited.

Niyikiza claimed that the directives found them in Kigali and could not find a way back home in Musanze.

His arguments, however, are baseless owing to the fact that the government gave days for people to return to their home in different parts of the country before the directives could come into force.

“We recently heard that there are vehicles at Nyamirambo stadium facilitating students to go back to their respective homes in different parts of the country. We went to Nyamirambo stadium where we found this bus driver and agreed to transport us to Musanze for Frw7, 000 each,” said Niyikiza.

Godelieve Manikiza, another passenger, also said that it was the driver, Ndayisaba, who told them that he was going to Musanze and was looking for passengers.

The driver, Daniel Ndayisaba, said that he had brought students from IPRC Nyakinama in Musanze District.

“After dropping students, I decided to take passengers on my way back to Musanze, and I apologize for my inappropriate actions” said Ndayisaba.

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that the vehicle was intercepted by traffic Police officers.

“The recently reviewed directives prohibits movements between districts or between Kigali and other districts of the country. The government gave time for people to go back to their homes. Anyone, who violates these directives will be arrested,” CP Kabera warned.

He further warned drivers and other people abusing or using the movement permits contrary to its original intended purpose and called upon the public to report anyone they see undermining the national Covid-19 prevention directives.

The violators had closed doors to prevent being detected by authorities. Bars are among services that are still closed as part of the national measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, social gatherings are also prohibited and everyone is required to be home by 6pm.

Police and local leaders found the group at about 7pm drinking in the bars belonging to Venuste Nsanzimana, 40, and Antoine Majyambere, 48, both located in Gako Village, Sovu Cell in Huye Sector.

It is the second time that Nsanzimana has been arrested over the same violation. He was in March caught operating the bar, educated on the government directives but also fined.

The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said the violators were found in the two bars at about 7pm.

“Area residents called the Police reporting two bars, which were operating and with a big gathering inside closed doors drinking. Police and local leaders went there at about 7pm and managed to arrest 21 people including the owners of the bars,” SP Kanamugire said.

The executive secretary for Huye Sector, Prosper Rwamucyo told the violators that disregarding the measures against Covid-19 is shameful and reckless behaviors which can lead to further spread of Covid-19 and loss of more lives.

“It shocking to see people going against the national directives in such a state where Covid-19 cases and deaths continue to increase. Drinking is not worth your life; if you feel you want to drink, buy your drinks and take them from home where you are at least safe, avoid such social gatherings which put your life and family at risk,” Rwamucyo said.

Rwanda, on Thursday, recorded 865 new Covid-19 cases and record high 10 related fatalities.

Rwamucyo further reminded the public to wash hands as many times as possible, wear face masks and maintain physical distance as one of the shields against the pandemic.

He also called upon the public to continue sharing information on violators including operating bars and social gatherings.

The statement released last night shows that 884 people have caught the virus while no one recovered.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 40 798 people have been tested positive of whom 27 272 recovered, 13 073 are active cases, 43 are critically ill while 453 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 391, 888 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.

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 urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.

Samuel Rugwabiza, 35, and Fabrice Kwizera, 21, claiming to be members of security organs enforcing the national directives on Covid-19 prevention, were defrauding owners of shops through threats.

The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said Police responded to information from area residents about the two men calling themselves security personnel and soliciting money from traders and locking their shops.

“Residents called the Police reporting the two men. Kwizera was impersonating a Police officer while Rugwabiza was guising as a Dasso personnel. They had padlocks which they were using to lock shops apparently for operating beyond permitted hours and solicing money from owners in order to remove the locks,” CIP Karekezi said.

He added: “Rugwabiza resides in Buhoko Cell and residents were able to recognize him, so they called the Police. At the time of their arrest, Rugwabiza and Kwizera had already locked six shops and threatened to reopen them after owners gives them money.”

The two men, CIP Karekezi said, is not the first time they have been implicated in similar criminal acts.

“On June 30, Kwizera and Rugwabiza fleeced two people in the same area of Frw15,000 after threatening to close their shops.”

CIP Karekezi urged the public to always be vigilant against such criminals.

“Security personnel enforcing the directives do not solicit bribes. Anyone who asks for money is a fraudster or an official committing a crime and should be reported and arrested to face the law,” the spokesperson emphasized.

He further urged the public to respect the national Covid-19 prevention directives, close their businesses early and be home in time.

The suspects were handed over to RIB at Gashonga station for further investigation.

Article 281 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person, who claims to be attached to a legally regulated profession, a certificate, an official diploma or any other entitlements granted by a competent authority to a person meeting requirements set by a competent authority, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to an imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) month and less than six (6) months and a fine of not less than Frw500,000 and not more than Frw1 million.

In article 279, it partly states that any person who without tittle usurps public, civil or military functions or poses the acts of one these functions or falsely attributes to himself/herself the quality of a public official… commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the offender faces between two and three years in prison, and a fine of not more than Rwf300,000 but not more than Rwf500, 000.

In article 174, any person who by deception, obtains another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications or who offers positive promises or who threatens of future misfortunes, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than three years and a fine of between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million.

The outgoing Chairperson of the MTN Rwandacell Board of Directors, Evelyn Rutagwenda, presided over the milestone occasion, which was attended by both international and local shareholders.

The Chairperson stated that the telecom’s management is honoured to have engaged with shareholders even though it was done virtually.

She explained that the year 2020 was like no other, with the onset and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic but stressed that the business remained resilient and consistent in its drive to serve at full capacity and provide service to clients.

“The financial performance remained strong guided by MTN’s ambitious strategy to lead digital Inclusion, paving the way for year-on-year growth and resulting in shareholders receiving dividends,” she said.

Shareholders of the newly listed company approved the dividend payment totalling Rwf 10,200,000,000 (Ten Billion Two Hundred Million Rwandan Francs), which is approximately Rwf 7.5/share (Seven point Five Rwandan Francs per share). As a result, all shareholders who were on the share register as of June 7th 2021, will receive their dividend payment today.

“As I conclude my time as Chairperson, I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our shareholders and other stakeholders, my fellow board members and the management team for their tireless support,” added Rutagwenda.

Other business that was approved at the AGM, included the re-appointment of PwC Rwanda Limited as external auditors, adoption of the 2020 Annual Report and signed audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31st 2020, and the election and re-election of Board Directors.

Speaking at the annual meeting, Mitwa Ng’ambi, MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer said: “This AGM has afforded us direct interaction with our shareholders. This has permitted them access to insights on company performance and our strategy direction going forward, something that was not entirely possible with Crystal Telecom Limited acting as a SPV company. We are also excited to welcome the new Board Directors, who bring with them a wealth of experience in diverse sectors.”

From the time of listing, MTN Rwanda has established multiple platforms where interested parties can contact them or find an array of information that will aid in their decision making including their website via investor relations portal or InvestorRelations.rw@mtn.com.

{{About MTN Rwandacell}}

MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, we have continuously invested in expanding and modernising our network and are the country’s No 1 network.

MTN Rwanda offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers with MTN Irekure. The company is also the front runner in mobile financial services in Rwanda with Mobile Money, MoMoPay and MoKash Loans and Savings.