Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Kagame sheds light on impact of Macron’s visit to Rwanda

Kagame made the observation yesterday as he attended ‘Qatar Economic Forum’ on topics revolving around leadership in a Post-Pandemic World.

Macron visited Rwanda for two-day official visit from 27th to 28th May 2021.

On his visit, the French President admitted his country’s responsibility in Genocide against Tutsi.

“Standing here today, with humility and respect, by your side, I have come to recognize our responsibilities,” said Macron.

He revealed that France had a duty to admit the “suffering it inflicted on the Rwandan people by too long valuing silence over the examination of the truth.”

Macron said that only those who had survived the horrors “can perhaps forgive; give us the gift of forgiveness”.

When asked what he thought about the apology, Kagame said that the visit of President Macron and the statement he made were important in outlining the basis of the apology he made to Rwanda and Rwandans referring to French involvement in Genocide against Tutsi.

“This was very important not only in terms of the apology but also about the truth of what happened,” he stated.

The President highlighted that admitting the responsibility is important to desisting propagandists denying and trivializing Genocide against Tutsi.

“Admitting this responsibility was important in many ways because in the recent years, we have noticed increase in the denial and revision of the Genocide history and all kind of narratives beginning to form to create a different story. France has been big part of that. The truth that came from President Macron and the admission he made on France’s responsibility is helpful to managing this otherwise negative development that we have noticed in the recent years,” said Kagame.

Kagame explained that with better relations and the basis of the truth that came out and putting things largely in the right perspective, both countries are likely to enjoy ‘better cooperation and joint investments in places and areas that matter for our development as Rwanda and I am sure in the end it benefits France as well’.

“This kind of cooperation is very important and we are looking forward to that and building on living this ugly history of ours behind us and being able to forge ahead is what Rwanda is looking for,” he emphasized.

June 22, 2021
Rwanda among three hubs for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in Africa

Kagame made the revelation on Monday 21st June 2021 at he attended Qatar Economic Forum.

The President explained that local manufacturing is the optimal way for Africa to have adequate vaccines for its people.

“Simply, Africa has to be equal partner with the rest of the World when it comes to manufacturing vaccines instead of waiting for vaccines from those places where they are manufactured. Right now, Africa is busy trying to do exactly that to find partners. To start manufacturing vaccines on our continent, we have IFC, European Union, other partners that are willing to come and do exactly that with our continent,” he said.

Kagame revealed that Rwanda, South Africa and Senegal have been selected as vaccine manufacturing hubs.

“Once that is up and running, I think we should be able to get vaccines we need on time or at the same time with the rest of the World. There are going to be three hubs on our continent and these countries are advanced on that. These include South Africa, Senegal and Rwanda,” he said.

Kagame underscored that these hubs will manufacture vaccines using mRNA technology adding that Rwanda has reached advanced stage in preparations of vaccine manufacturing plant.

“We will be among these hubs where the manufacturing on the continent is going to happen. For Rwanda in particular, we have partnered with some industries that are specialized in mRNA technology,” he noted.

“This is a new technology that has wide applications in agriculture or other diseases. We have already discussed with people owning that technology. We are discussing with people who will help with the financing and I think in few months we should hear a different story,” added Kagame.

Currently, two COVID-19 vaccines using Messenger RNA (mRNA) technologies have proved safe and highly efficacious. These include one developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and another by Moderna. This type of technology induces cells to produce a protein, or a piece of a protein, that triggers an immune response in the body.

World Health organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently revealed that ‘the benefit of this technology, which has been in development for decades, is that it is potentially easier to scale than alternatives and could be faster and easier to adapt for COVID-19 variants of concern’.

June 22, 2021
Smuggled goods seized in Karongi

They seized from five suspected smugglers, who were also taken into custody during the separate operations conducted on Saturday and Sunday in Gishyita Sector.

Those arrested are identified as Aisha Ary, 49, Clarisse Uwizeyimana, 28, Rosine Uwajeneza, 30, Donatha Nyinawumuntu, 32 and Elias Nzitukuze, 42.

The Western Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the suspects were arrested in two separate operations.

“Police had prior information that the road Rusizi-Karongi was often being used by smugglers especially during weekends.

Checkpoints were mounted in Cyanya and Ngoma cells in Gishyita Sector on Saturday and Sunday when the five smugglers were arrested in public vehicles,” CIP Karekezi said.

Elias Nzitukuze was found with 40kgs of used clothes while Rosine Uwajeneza and Donatha Nyinawumuntu had combined 14 rolls of electric cables.

The trio was arrested on Saturday, June 19.

“Clarisse Uwizeyimana and Aisha Ary were arrested on Sunday with combined 30kgs of second-hand clothes. They were with another smuggler, who had 80kgs of used clothes but run away as Police was searching the luggage,” CIP Karekezi explained.

The suspects disclosed that they got the goods from DR Congo and sneaked them into the country through illegal border points. They were at the time enroute to Kigali.

CIP Karekezi said the operations against smuggling and fraud are continuous and called upon the public to report anyone they suspected to be engaged in any illegal cross-border business.

Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods are auctioned.

{{Tax fraud}}

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.

With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law.

In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six months and two years.

June 22, 2021
Rwanda records six more COVID-19 deaths, 622 new cases

The deceased include two-month old baby, woman aged 40 and 37-year old man from Kigali. Others are two women aged 75 and 84 from Rubavu district as well as 36-year old man from Huye.

The statement released last night shows that 622 people have caught the virus out of 5342 sample tests. The majority of new cases was found in Kigali: 305, Kamonyi: 40, Rubavu: 35, Gicumbi: 27, Nyabihu: 24, Burera: 24, Rwamagana: 22, Musanze: 21,Rutsiro:17 and Rulindo: 17.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 31 435 have been tested positive of whom 26704 have recovered, 4343 are active cases, 13 are critically ill while 388 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 390,848 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.

June 22, 2021
Eleven arrested at christening party

Baptism parties are among the prohibited events and social gatherings under the government directives meant to contain the pandemic of Covid-19.

The were paraded to the media on Monday, June 21, at Nyarugenge District Police Unit offices in Rwezamenyo Sector.

The violators were found at the home of one Jean Marie Nizeyimana located in Ruyenzi Cell, Runda Sector.

Nizeyimana had invited friends and relatives for the christening party of his two children.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Police was called in by concerned area residents.

“Two of Nizeyimana’s children had on June 9, received sacrament of baptism and Eucharist but did not hold the party at the time. He invited friends and relatives on June 20, to celebrate the admission to the faith of his children. Fortunate enough, some responsible residents called the Police to report the prohibited gathering leading to the arrest of 11 of them,” CP Kabera said.

He commended the role of the public in the enforcement of the government directives by reporting violators.

“We remind the public that Covid-19 is still in our midst and still claiming lives, there is no room for complacency. Any violation can be fatal. All ceremonies and gatherings at homes are prohibited and you will be arrested for non-compliance,” CP Kabera said.

He warned that Police heightened enforcement operations against anyone flouting the Covid-19 prevention directives.

The violators were educated on the government directives and health measures, and handed administrative fines accordingly.

June 22, 2021
Kagame receives Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners

Robert Nelsen is in Rwanda for working visit.

Founded in 1986, ARCH Venture Partners is a venture capital investment firm based in Chicago, Illinois.

ARCH Venture Partners invests in advanced technology companies and is one of the largest early stage technology venture firms in the United States.

The firm is a recognized leader in commercializing technologies developed at academic institutions, corporate research groups and national laboratories.

It invests primarily in companies it co-founds with leading scientists and entrepreneurs, bringing innovations in life sciences and physical sciences to market.

June 21, 2021
Government imposes inter-district lockdown

The resolutions are part of other stringent measures taken to control the up surging COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The meeting was chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.

“Movements are prohibited between 7p.m-4a.m. All businesses must close by 6p.m. Movements between Kigali and other provinces and movements between districts across the country are prohibited except for medical reasons and other essential services. However, vehicles transporting goods will continue to operate with no more than two people on board,” reads part of the cabinet statement released today

New measures follow steady upsurge in COVID-19 infections where the country has recorded 3153 new cases since 11th June 2021.

The statement also shows that physical meetings will continue but must not exceed 30% of venue capacity. Negative COVID-19 test results will be required for all participants.

All social gatherings and celebrations of all kinds have been prohibited both in public and private settings.

Traditional, civil and religious weddings have been suspended.

Public offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 15% percent of all employees while others continue working from home on a rotational basis.

Restaurants and cafés shall operate at 30% capacity and shall receive clients until 6pm. Negative COVID-19 test results will be required for designated restaurants.

Among other measures, tourism activity will continue in strict adherence to COVID-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators, and transport services facilitating guests.

June 21, 2021
Ange Kagame shares parenting tips on developing children’s brain

The month-long campaign was launched on 1 June 2021, by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Rwanda, and other partners to promote positive parenting.

In the video released today by UNICEF Rwanda; Ange Kagame, the daughter of President Paul Kagame talked about how a baby’s brain develops most in the first 1,000 days at a pace never repeated again.

The mother of one also highlighted the role of both parents, male and female in the overall development of their baby.

In the earliest years of life, a child’s brain develops at an astounding speed of more than 1 million new neural connections every second.

This period offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape a child’s ability to learn, grow, form healthy relationships, and contribute fully to society in adulthood.

Parents are the key providers of health, nutrition, stimulation, opportunities for early learning, and protection that babies need for healthy brain development. Another area where parents can contribute significantly to a child’s development is by playing with the baby.

This helps babies learn and build crucial life skills – from problem-solving to expressing ideas – and strengthening the bond between child and parent.

Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs in the world and now COVID-19 has placed even more pressure on parents and caregivers to support their children’s learning and development, keep their households functioning, and look after their families’ wellbeing.

The video explains the various techniques such as ‘serve and return’ that parents can use to strengthen their bond with their babies while ensuring their holistic development.

June 21, 2021
Cimerwa Plc nets Rwf1 billion profit in first quarter of 2021

Commenting on the provisional financial results released recently for the period ended 31st March 2021 ; John Bugunya, the Chief Finance Officer at Cimerwa Plc explained that the plant’s position in the first half of the year ‘paints an encouraging picture of what our financials will look like at the end of 2021’.

“Despite the effects of the lockdown that went into effect during the first quarter of this year, we were able to record strong revenue and profit and maintain a healthy cash balance of Rwf 8.7 billion. This speaks volumes on our resilience in the face of difficulties and challenges,” he said.

Cimerwa Plc also recorded Rwf 1.02 billion decrease in cost of sales which was buoyed by efficiencies in plant operations and prudent cost-saving measures.

Albert Sigei, Cimerwa Plc CEO explained that recorded revenues were driven by investments and market growth.

“The domestic market continues to show a good growth trajectory driven by infrastructure investments across the country while the export market also grew during the period. Amidst this wave of growth, our market position remains strong and steady and we are gearing up to make it even more robust. The noticeable increase in our inventories is a deliberate and strategic move to ensure that we are ready and able to supply the market with cement as we continue to support the government’s infrastructure development agenda as a proud ‘Made in Rwanda’ company,” noted Sigei.

The management of Cimerwa Plc has asserted that the plant continues to observe strict COVID prevention measures in line with the guidelines from the health experts such as the 1-meter rule, masks-on and hand washing rules and a strong vaccination effort that has seen over 200 staff taking COVID-19 jab.

“Our good results during this period demonstrates CIMERWA Plc’s ability to ride the wave of challenges that were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This however is a collaborative effort that starts from the exceptionally skilled pool of people who work for this company, a competent and devoted board of directors and our supportive stakeholders. All of this puts us in a position to keep delivering on the promise we made to our customers, our shareholders and the country at large to continue Strengthening Rwanda,” noted Sigei.

{{About Cimerwa}}

Established in 1984, Cimerwa Plc has over three decades worth of experience as Rwanda’s first and only integrated cement manufacturer. The firm’s production plant is located in Bugarama, Rusizi District near the South Western border of Rwanda.

Cimerwa Plc is the only cement company in Rwanda to mine raw materials, produce the clinker concentrate, pack and sell cement for general and civil construction. Cimerwa Plc is committed to building strong partnerships with leaders and members of the local community. In the process, the firm has helped set up a number of initiatives geared at improving the livelihoods of the people.

These include a nursery and primary school, medical clinic, a market, a tailoring workshop and providing them with clean, piped water among many others.

June 21, 2021
Graduates from Davis College and Akilah commended for exhibiting courage amidst COVID-19 pandemic

The virtual graduation ceremony took place on Friday 18th June 2021 in adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures.

The graduates were supposed to complete their studies in 2020, but this was not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These graduates are from Akilah Institute, one of the two colleges of Davis College which focuses on empowerment of women.

The Interim President of Davis College, Paul Swaga revealed that the graduates have been equipped with all the necessary skills relevant to make them successful at the workplace.

“I expect a lot from these graduates because we have prepared them well enough. I am convinced that they will bring positive changes at the workplace. Some of them have conceptualized projects which they are set to implement, thus, impacting the community through job creation,” he noted.

Swaga explained that the graduates will also play a bigger role in the transformation of the lives of other women who did not get the opportunity to study at Davis College and Akilah.

“ When some of these graduates start their own businesses, they will impact the community as more women will get job opportunities. Others who will work with various companies are also expected to deliver efficiently because they have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge,” he revealed.

Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes, a co-founder of Davis College and Akilah who graced the graduation ceremony thanked graduates for exhibiting team work amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

“ You have exhibited strength , resilience and togetherness, team work spirit, developed your leadership, management and other impactful skills bringing changes to the community amidst uncertainties brought by the pandemic. This has been an unusual year. We commend you for soldiering on in difficult times,” she said.

The State Minister at the Ministry of Education in Charge of TVET and ICT , Irere Claudette who was the guest of honour at the event, congratulated graduates and thanked the school for helping students during difficult times.

“This year has presented unusual circumstances to all of us, particularly to the education sector. We voice appreciation for your courage and achievements. I would also like to commend the management of Davis College and Akilah for helping graduates to complete their journey successfully,” she said.

Graduates expressed delight for acquiring the knowledge relevant for them to effectively compete at the labour market.

“I am extremely happy for this great achievement despite the tough moments and sleepless nights we went through. I am ready to deliver on the expectations along my professional career,” said Iqra Naeem, the Valedictorian for the Class of 2020

Another graduate, Mari Grace Ishimwe also highlighted that the school unleashed her potential to break social and cultural constraints which limit girls from performing to their full potential.

“I was pleased to join the institute as soon as I realized its uniqueness. I became self-confident and attended the ICT program which many assume not to be suitable for girls. I exhibited good performance, and I am ready to compete at the labour market,” she revealed.

The school has graduated eight intakes since 2010.

In September 2020, Davis College launched another college for both male and female students which operates alongside the Akilah Institute.

Davis College graduates students with diplomas in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Systems, and Business Management & Entrepreneurship.

June 21, 2021