IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • COVID-19: Rwanda registers four more deaths

    The statement released last night shows that 814 people have caught the virus.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 38 198 people have been tested positive of whom 27 272 recovered, 10 495 are active cases, 36 are critically ill while 431 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 391,785 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program 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.

  • Kagame receives letters of credence of four new envoys

    These include Elin Østebø Johansen of Norway, Zsolt Mészáros of Hungary, Luke Joseph Williams of Australia, and Michalis A. Zacharioglou of Cyprus.

    Elin Østebø Johansen of Norway will represent his country with residence in Kampala, Uganda; Zsolt Mészáros of Hungary will have residence in Nairobi , Kenya; while Michalis A. Zacharioglou of Cyprus will be based in Doha, Qatar.

    On the previous day, Kagame received four more ambassadors accredited to Rwanda.

    These include Amir Mohammad Khan of Pakistan who will be based in Rwanda while Jesús Agustín Manzanilla Puppo of Venezuela, Valentin Zellweger of Switzerland and Sasirit Tangulrat of Thailand will represent their countries to Rwanda with residence in Nairobi, Kenya.

    Amb. Elin Østebø Johansen of Norway with President Paul Kagame.
    Amb. Luke Joseph Williams of Australia posing for a photo with President Paul Kagame.
    Amb. Zsolt Mészáros of Hungary in a photo of souvenir with President Paul Kagame.
    Amb. Michalis A. Zacharioglou of Cyprus (left) will represent his country with residence in Doha.

  • Government closes schools and offices, curfew hours revised

    Curfew hours have been also revised to begin 6p.m through 4a.m. The curfew has for the previous week started at 9p.m.

    The resolutions follow the surge in new COVID-19 cases and the emergence of new variants globally.

    The statement released today reads that new measures will take effect in the City of Kigali, districts of Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu , Rutsiro and Rwamagana starting July 1st 2021 to be reviewed after two weeks upon health assessment.

    Among other measures; all businesses will close by 5p.m while people are encouraged to avoid unnecessary movements.

    Social gatherings including gatherings held in homes and family visits are prohibited.

    Offices, (private and public) are closed. Staff shall work from home except for those providing essential services while all meetings are prohibited.

    Schools and higher education institutions are closed. Provisions for students sitting national exams in July 2021 will be communicated by the Ministry of Education.

    Restaurants shall only offer take-away service.

    Places of worship are closed.

    The remaining parts of the country, movements are also prohibited from 6p.m to 4a.m while businesses must close by 5p.m.

  • Gicumbi residents frustrated over delayed issuance of land documents

    Angelique Kayitesi has explained that her family bought land and completed transfer transactions six months ago but has not yet received related documents.

    “We bought a piece of land worth Rwf1 million, completed land transfer transactions at sector level at the beginning of February 2021 but we have not yet received land title. Delaying land documents restricts us from exploiting our land to the maximum so that we can apply for loans or build houses. Besides, prolonged delay might trigger land disputes. We appeal for support to get land documents issued,” she said.

    Another landholder, Jean Baptiste Tuyishime residing in Muko sector has appealed to relevant officials for intervention to address the problem.

    “We made a declaration, cleared payments, made land transfer transactions at sector level, sent files to the district but documents have not yet been released. The issuance of documents has been pending for three months yet it would take no more than 15 days in the past. We have been asked to be patient until they are released. We want such services to be delivered fast,” he noted.

    The mayor of Gicumbi district, Felix Ndayambaje acknowledged the delay in the release of land documents attributing it to the absence of land officer who was on maternity leave.

    He assured residents that the situation is set to return to normal.

    “The successor of the land officer who was on maternity leave was overwhelmed with piled files to be processed. We have sought support from five land officers at sector level to intervene for a period of one week. We are optimistic that they will receive pending documents effective from next week,” revealed Ndayambaje.

  • Kayonza herdsmen kill python after swallowing goat

    A python is large heavy-bodied non-venomous snake killing prey by constriction and asphyxiation.

    The snake was first knocked by a local identified as Théophile Mbarushimana, the Head Teacher of Groupe Scolaire Mucucu who was riding a motorbike on Monday 28th June 2021 whereafter herdsmen intervened to kill the python.

    “I was riding slowly but the snake was crawling fast from nearest bushes that I did not spot it. I was scared after knocking such a gigantic snake but herdsmen around immediately killed it. They slit open the belly and found a devoured goat inside,” he told IGIHE.

    Residents have revealed that the 5-meter snake has been living nearby a pond known as ‘Ku Cyamusenyeri’.

    Innocent Ndagijimana, one of tourist guides in Akagera National Park has told IGIHE that the gigantic snake is a ‘python’.

    “It is a python. Such species live in warm environment where they can found small animals. After devouring preys, they often move to drink water from nearby lakes, rivers and ponds,” he revealed.

    Ndagijimana explained that the park is home to a large number of pythons often spotted drinking water from Lake Ihema.

    He said that it takes the snake at least 5 days to digest and move after swallowing a prey.

    Kayonza is among districts in the surroundings of Akagera National Park.

    The executive secretary of Murundi sector, Jackline Mutesi has told IGIHE that farmers in the area have been missing small livestock and failed to track whereabouts.

    She highlighted that they might have been devoured by such snakes or other wild animals from the park.

    The python was killed yesterday in Kayonza district.

  • Kagame receives credentials of new ambassadors

    The four ambassadors include Amir Mohammad Khan of Pakistan, Jesús Agustín Manzanilla Puppo of Venezuela, Valentin Zellweger of Switzerland and Sasirit Tangulrat of Thailand.

    Amir Mohammad Khan of Pakistan will be based in Rwanda while Jesús Agustín Manzanilla Puppo of Venezuela, Valentin Zellweger of Switzerland and Sasirit Tangulrat of Thailand will represent their countries to Rwanda with residence in Nairobi, Kenya.

    After presenting credentials, new envoys expressed readiness to foster bilateral ties, promote trade, investment and technology among others.

    Valentin Zellweger representing Switzerland to Rwanda revealed that talks with Kagame revolved around promoting bilateral relations that has existed for 60 years.

    “We have discussed areas of mutual interests as both countries are landlocked and characterized by hilly topographies. We have agreed to expend much efforts to strengthen existing relations. Economic development is among other discussed areas of priority,” he said.

    Zellweger explained that new cooperation will take heed on promoting technology, helping Rwanda to become a hub for conferences among others.

    Rwanda and Thailand have been enjoying cordial relations for the past 34 years.

    The Ambassador of Thailand to Rwanda, Sasirit Tangulrat said that cooperation between both countries will prioritize technology, tourism and health sector.

    “We will celebrate 35 years of bilateral relations between Rwanda and Thailand next year. We might organize a celebration depending on the situation of COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

    Amb. Sasirit Tangulrat explained that promoting technology is of great relevance particularly during COVID-19 where both countries can learn from each other.

    Jesús Agustín Manzanilla Puppo representing Venezuela to Rwanda expressed delight to be in the country of thousand hills and commended Rwanda’s economic progress and efforts to promote access to healthcare.

    He revealed that presenting credentials to Kagame is the beginning of a fruitful journey to strengthen bilateral ties that existed for 40 years.

    Kagame also received the ambassador of Djibouti, Mohamed Idriss Farah who completed his eight-year tour of duty in Rwanda.

  • 24kgs and over 4,000 pellets of cannabis seized in Police operations

    In Ruhango District, Police apprehended the trio of Innocent Tuyizere, 32, Ngirabatware Bihoyiki, 25 and Emmanuel Mbarubucyeye, 46, in Ruhango Sector, Munini Cell, Ruhuha Village with 2,700 pellets of cannabis.

    In Muhanga Dstrict, Nyamabuye Sector in Gitarama Cell, two people who were traveling on a motorcye dropped a bag containing 1,010 pellets of cannabis on seeing the Police, and escaped.

    The trio arrested in Ruhango, according to the Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, was traveling in a Fuso, which was stopped at a Police check-point.

    “At about 7:30pm on Sunday, as Police officers were enforcing the curfew, they stopped a Fuso at the roadblock mounted in Ruhuha village in which Bihoyiki and Tuyizere were traveling in. When officers searched the vehicle they recovered 2700 pellets of cannabis; 1200 pellets owned by Bihoyiki were concealed in a bag while Tuyizere had 1500 pellets wrapped around his body,” SP Kanamugire said.

    Following their arrest, Tuyizere and Bihoyiki disclosed that they got the narcotics from Emmanuel Mbarubucyeye, who was also located and arrested in Mungejuru Village, Nyamagana cell of Ruhango sector.

    Other 20kgs of cannabis were seized from other traffickers in Burera District, who were attempting to cross into Rwanda from Uganda’s district of Kabale through Rugezi mashland in Kivuye Sector. The traffickers dropped the narcotics and fled back to Uganda.

    Police in Burera said the escapees are known and are supplied by two Ugandan nationals only identified as Sinai and Sempa.

    In Rutsiro District, Eurade Ntakirutimana, 31, was arrested in Rwesero village, Kaguriro cell, Mushonyi sector with 435 pellets of cannabis.

    Ntakirutimana told the Police that the narcotics belong to one Issa of Bacanga in Rubavu District, who had hired him to deliver them to one of the clients for Rwf10,000.

    Meanwhile, in Rulindo District, 4kgs of cannabis were dropped by two dealers, who were traveling on a motorcycle in Gatete village, Gitare cell of Base sector.

    The successful operations are mainly facilitated by information provided by the public which helps the Police and local leaders to compile lists of dealers.

    Cannabis is classified as a very severe drug in Rwanda.

    Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.

    Upon conviction for very severe narcotics, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.

  • Rwanda records seven more COVID-19 deaths, 757 new cases

    The statement released last night shows that 757 people have caught the virus while 182 recovered.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 37 384 people have been tested positive of whom 27 272 recovered, 9685 are active cases, 35 are critically ill while 427 have succumbed to the virus.

    The majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 280, Musanze: 80, Kamonyi: 46 and Burera: 45.

    A total of 391,739 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program 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.

  • CP Bizimungu takes over as MINUSCA ‘Police Commissioner’

    The new Chief of MINUSCA Police Component (D-2) arrived in the capital Bangui on Sunday following his appointment, to head more than 2000 Police personnel.

    CP Bizimungu takes over from Major General Pascal Champion, a french national, who headed the Police component since 2019.

    Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police(CP) John Bosco Kabera said that CP Bizimungu was appointed after fulfilling all the requirements and passing related tests as a prerequisite.

    “Commissioner of Police (CP) Christophe Bizimungu started his new UN responsibilities on Sunday, June 27, when he arrived in the mission area in Bangui to head the Police Component for the next one year but with an extention clause. He certified all the requirements and qualifications, and we wish him good luck,” CP Kabera said.

    His arrival in Bangui on Sunday was also announced by MINUSCA via Twitter handle adding that he will be “sharing many years of experience in Rwanda Police to contribute to peace and stability in CAR.”

    The tweet was also shared by many other top UN officials including the Police Advisor and head of the Police Division at the United Nations, Luis Carrilho.

    Rwanda maintains 349 Police officers serving under MINUSCA including three contingents; two Formed Police Units (FPUs) and a Protection Support Unit (PSU) each composed of 140 officers. Other 29 officers Individual Police Officers serve as ‘Police Advisors.’

    CP Bizimungu takes immense experience both in policing and leadership. He holds a PhD in law from the University of Sussex in England and until his appointment, he was the Commandant of the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District. Previously, he also served as the Commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

    CP Bizimungu is the fourth Rwandan Police officer to hold the D-2 position. Currently, Deputy Commissioner General of Police (DCG) Mary Gahonzire heads the Police component at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNSFA).

    Others who have held the top Police position in any peacekeeping mission include CP Bruce Munyambo–the Police Commissioner for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) (2016 to 2018) as well as CP Vianney Nshimiyimana in the UN operation mission in Ivory Coast (UNOCI) between 2014 and 2016.

    Commissioner of Police (CP) Christophe Bizimungu, appointed to Chief of MINUSCA Police Component.

  • Police parade six violators caught in spa

    The spa is owned by one Vincent Gasana, who is among those arrested. Spas are among the services that were closed by the Cabinet as part of the measures to contain the new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Only Covid-19 negative guests at hotels are allowed in spas and swimming pool.

    While speaking to the media, Vincent Gasana admitted that he was hosting a big number of people and that many others escaped during the Police operation.

    “They had come to visit me at home, where I aslo have a spa. However, when they heard that Police was coming, most of them jumped over the fence and escaped,” Gasana said.

    Although Gasana claimed that he was not operating sauna and spa service, Police found small rooms in his house where those he argued to be his friends and just visiting, were receiving related services. Home visits and social gatherings are also prohibited.

    RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the violators were arrested as a result of strong partnership between Police and the public through information sharing.

    “Police received information that Gasana had turned his home into a sauna and massage business, which he was doing well knowing that it is prohibited. Indeed, when officers went to the said house, Gasana was arrested with other five of his customers, although many others managed to flee,” CP Kabera said.

    He warned people, who continue to derail government efforts against the pandemic but commended the role of the public in enforcing the directives.

    “You don’t play on people’s lives for personal gains. Many people have been arrested for undermining the directives and operations will continue. Such behaviours is the reason Covid-19 continues to spread and people continue to die, which is unacceptable” CP Kabera observed.

    The arrest came a day after 14 others were also apprehended at another spa also in Kicukiro, including one person who was Covid-19 positive and had knowingly breached self-isolation.