The statement released last night shows that 741 people have caught the virus while 113 recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2021. Since then, 36 627 people have been tested positive of whom 27 090 recovered, 9117 are active cases, 26 are critically ill while 420 have succumbed to the virus.
Currently, the prevalence of new infections, death toll and recoveries stands at 9.4%, 73.9% and 1.1% respectively.
A total of 391, 675 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.
The agreements were signed during the visit of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who met with his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi in Goma on Saturday.
The agreement signed concerns the promotion and protection of investments, taxation and tax evasion between the two countries and a memorandum on gold mining cooperation.
According to Felix Tshisekedi,”It is time to experience the other side of sharing peace, love and economic fraternal exchanges between our two countries”
We signed a number of agreements. I believe this is just the beginning. There are many areas that we are going to come to, in which we can cooperate to build a solid relationship, but also bases for cooperation between our two countries.” added Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.
It was an occasion for DRC to reiterate its interest to join the East African Community (EAC), a decision that is generating reactions in Goma.
The two presidents have held many meetings in recent months, particularly during international summits. Before the Rubavu meeting, the two leaders met face-to-face on May 17 in Paris, on the sidelines of the international summit for the financing of African economies.
Nyiragongo’s eruption on 22nd May 2021 destroyed several infrastructures, took lives over 32 and left many people displaced.
The eruption saw Congolese nationals fleeing to Rwanda where they were warmly welcomed until they returned home.
Few days later, Kagame appealed for global support to manage the crisis on the border with DRC.
The volcanic eruption is reported to have destroyed 1000 houses, water and electricity supply systems that some parts of Goma left in blackout are pulling electricity from Rwanda.
Since then, water scarcity has been persistent in Goma where some residents fetch safe water from 20 kilometers.
On his visit, Kagame and Tshisekedi toured Kibati road among other infrastructures damaged by volcanic eruption.
The visit saw numerous bilateral agreements signed between both countries whereafter heads of state held a press conference on areas of mutual interest.
The first agreement signed concerns the promotion and protection of investments, while the second one relates to the avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion between the two countries. The third agreement is a memorandum on gold mining cooperation.
Addressing his remarks, President Kagame explained that signed agreements form the basis of cooperation to build a solid relationship between the two countries.
Before heading to DRC, Kagame received his counterpart of DRC on the previous day where they toured infrastructures damaged by Nyiragongo eruption on Rwanda’s side.
Kagame stressed that the visits provided a good opportunity to have broad and productive exchanges that will benefit both two countries.
“I am thankful to President Tshisekedi for providing this opportunity for me and my delegation, and the Rwandans not only to express our solidarity and a sense of strong partnership that exists between our two countries but also in the context of giving you president, people of DRC and particularly of Goma, our condolences for those who lost their lives during the recent volcanic eruption, stand with those who were displaced and affected in any other way,” he said.
“I also want to thank the president for allowing this closeness of our people that already exists and has existed for many years to be given a new impetus,” added Kagame.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that the four students were arrested on 21st June 2021.
“They are accused of crimes including destroying another person’s property, forming a group of gangs or joining it, inciting public disorder, ethnic divisionism and genocide ideology,” he said.
The quartet includes one aged 18 while the remaining three are aged 19 respectively.
Dr. Murangira explained that the students committed these crimes as they completed the second school term in March 2021 where they damaged school equipment and classrooms.
It is said that the students had formed a gang’s group called ‘Abapower’. They are detained at Nyamabuye RIB Post as investigation is underway to file their case to the Prosecution.
Groupe Scolaire Kabgayi where these students committed alleged crimes is located in Kamazuru village, Gahogo cell in Nyamabuye sector.
The last contingent—RWAFPU2-4—returned home this Friday, June 25, after more than eight months of tour-of-duty in the world’s newest nation. At about 12:30, RWAFPU2-4 of 160 officers headed by its Contingent Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Carlos Kabayiza, safely arrived back home.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, the blue berets were received by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Yahaya Kamunuga, Commissioner for Human Resources Management, on behalf of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) leadership.
The contingent, which was operating in the capital Juba, started its peace support operations in 2017 when the first FPU2-1 unit was deployed in South Sudan. It was one of the three Rwandan Police contingents serving under UNMISS. RWAFPU1 of 240 officers—the maiden unit deployed in 2015—operates in Malakal of Upper Nile State—was deployed while the female-dominated RWAFPU-3 of 160 officers operates in the capital Juba.
While addressing the officers upon their arrival, ACP Kamunuga thanked them for their peacekeeping services and for representing their country ably.
“Welcome back home; your country and RNP leadership thank you for being good ambassadors and having to cope with the challenges especially those related to the Coronavirus pandemic while execution your peacekeeping duties,” ACP Kamunuga said.
RWAFPU2-4 contingent commander, CSP Carlos Kabayiza said that they are happy to have contributed to the peace process of South Sudan mainly in providing protection of civilians in sites, which have now been turned into IDP camps.
“During our tour-of-duty, we conducted different mandated operational activities in Juba including supporting humanitarian assistance, providing security and escort to VIPs, static duties in IDP camps, high visibility patrols and community engagement activities. Despite the working conditions of COVID-19, we are happy to have contributed to the Revitalized Peace process of South Sudan and to come back home safely,” he added.
The City of Kigali continues to be the major hotspot for new cases where 343 people tested positive yesterday.
The statement released last night shows that 112 patients recovered while two succumbed to the virus.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 35 018 people have been tested positive of whom 26 977 recovered, 7637 are active cases, 26 are critically ill while 404 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 391, 625 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.
The officers are from the host Rwanda, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, and South Sudan. Rwandan students include those from Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
The graduation ceremony held at the College was presided over by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
It was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, Commissioner General-RCS, Juvenal Marizamunda, RIB Secretary General, Col (rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga, Governor Northern Province, Donatilla Nyirarugero, the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza as well as representatives from South Sudan Police Service and Somalia Police Force.
Minister Busingye commended the graduands for the remarkable efforts, hard work, team spirit, dedication, and resilience that they showcased in the pursuit of success during the critical period of the Covid-19 pandemic, which made their learning environment less conducive.
“Despite this challenging situation, however, you have overcome and today we are here to celebrate the harvest of your hard work and perseverance. As you are celebrating, you should remember that no matter how successful you have been, there is still more to do, more to learn and more to achieve,” Minister Busingye said.
He noted that peace, security, governance, justice and development are interlinked and interdependent.
“In Rwanda, we have witnessed how identity politics, bad governance, unequal access to opportunities and resources, discrimination, exclusion, civil unrest, structural impunity, and other evils that Rwandans experienced, led to the tragedy of Genocide against the Tutsi and endemic poverty. We have, on the other hand, observed how unity and reconciliation, justice and good governance contribute to social harmony, peace and accelerated development that places Rwanda among the rapidly growing economies in the world” the Minister said.
Rwanda, he added, has learnt that security is no longer state-centric, and that the nature of contemporary threats has made it more human-based.
In the face of this reality, Minister Busingye emphasized the need for highly trained, professional, human rights abiding and disciplined law enforcement officers, combining strategic command aspects and a full understanding of national, regional and global peace and security dynamics that allow them to respond to any law enforcement challenge of their time and the future.
Minister Busingye observed that the complexity of contemporary law enforcement challenges associated with sophisticated technologies in the commission of crimes, globalization requires law enforcement officers to be ahead of criminals to be able to intercept their enterprises before they succeed.
The current policing environment, he added, calls for regional and international cooperation, joint training, experience, and information sharing, as well as joint strategies to respond to identified challenges.
He took the opportunity to thank all countries that responded to Rwanda’s call to international cooperation in the field of training and to strengthen cooperation in other areas of law enforcement.
UR-vice chancellor, Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje said that the graduation is a memorable ceremony where hard work is colourfully appreciated as well as an opportunity to extend sincere gratitude to parents, friends, families, the Government of Rwanda, and other partners for their role in the one-year Masters programme.
“The University of Rwanda applauds you for having done tremendously well to deserve the full honours… and for reaching this milestone. Our confidence in you going out there to deliver better is high, because we have strong belief in the knowledge imparted into you over the last one year,” Prof. Lyambabaje said.
The one-year PSCSC comprises of two main components; a professional career programme, which leads to the award of a Past Staff Course (PSC) title, and a master’s programme in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.
NPC Commandant, CP Christophe Bizimungu said that the course has achieved its objectives and that the core of the course programme was taught as scheduled including the lectures of opportunity delivered by highly experienced speakers, internal study tour, and a high-level symposium on Peace, Security and Justice.
Both heads of state have met at La Cornice border in Rubavu district.
Tshisekedi arrived in Rwanda around 1p.m coming from Goma town.
After welcome by a guard of honour, President Kagame drove Tshisekedi to visit infrastructures damaged by earthquakes that followed Nyiragongo volcanic eruption on 22nd May 2021.
The eruption saw Congolese nationals fleeing to Rwanda where they were warmly welcomed until they returned home.
Apart from displaced citizens, tremors occasioned by the natural disaster destroyed different infrastructures including roads, health facilities and residents’ houses.
As of today, Rubavu district and partners including Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) and the Ministry of Infrastructure among others are raising funds to renovate damaged roads.
Kagame and his counterpart are also expected to hold bilateral talks at Serena Hotel in Rubavu.
There are currently two primary types of COVID-19 tests. The first is the “Antigen Covid-19 rapid test” of which results are released between 15 and 30 minutes at a cost of Rwf 10,000 while the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test which provides results after 24 hours costs Rwf 47, 200.
Many people have been opting for ‘Antigen Covid-19 rapid test’ but there are still concerns that the cost is relatively high.
Speaking to KT Radio, the Director General of RBC, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has revealed that the Government plans to reduce the cost.
“We have finalized talks with companies manufacturing medical supplies used to test COVID-19 so that the cost can be reduced at least between Rwf 5000 and 6000,” he said.
Once the revised cost is approved, Dr. Nsanzimana explained that it will increase numbers of people going for COVID-19 test.
He did not specify when new price may take effect but highlighted that Covid-19 test is likely to be integrated among packages of health services covered by Mutuelle de Santé.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 34143 people have been tested positive out of 1,583,612 sample tests.
Iwawa enrolls former drug abusing youth and others with naughty behaviors to be integrated in normal life. Youth undergoing rehabilitation at the center are equipped with vocational skills in agriculture, carpentry, tailoring, handcraft and driving among other relevant skillsets that some of them create jobs after graduation.
After holding discussions with Zandile Makhoba, JCI Vice President for Africa and Middle East who is on a visit to Rwanda, the management of Kigali city has expressed willingness to partner with the organization.
During discussions held on Thursday, Makhoba took Kigali city management through different youth empowerment programs of the organization.
Kigali City Vice Mayor in charge of Socio-economic Affairs, Nadine Umutoni Gatsinzi commended the organization’s impactful initiatives and stressed the need to develop partnership to walk together along the development journey.
“We want to enter partnership agreement to explore avenues of cooperation particularly empowering youth that graduated from Iwawa to implement their projects. Besides, we have Kigali Employment Service Center in Kimisagara which also acquaints unemployed youth with vocational skills required at the labour market. The partnership might also strengthen that program,” she revealed.
Umutoni explained that the partnership is also expected to develop specific programs tailored to promote girls’ wellbeing and development.
As she said, both parties will sit together to discuss implementation process and assess anticipated outcome.
JCI is an international Non-Governmental Organization that builds the capacity of the youth through training in entrepreneurship, leadership, fellowship and self-responsibility in over 115 countries.
The organization opened doors to Rwanda in 2005 where it has 200 members.
