Amb. Lomas was accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta as he met with Kagame at Village Urugwiro yesterday.
On 1st January 2021, the United Kingdom appointed Omar Daair to replace Amb. Lomas.
The newly appointed high commissioner is however expected to take office in July 2021.
Amb. Lomas presented credentials to President Kagame on 16th January 2018 replacing William Gelling.
The statement released yesterday shows that these two vaccination hubs allow Games participants who will be unable to be vaccinated in their home countries in advance of travelling to Japan for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 to get inoculated.
The two hubs will both offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, in line with the IOC announcement on 6 May 2021 of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE to donate doses of the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine to Games participants from National Olympic and Paralympic Committees around the world.
The IOC is in contact with a few NOCs whose athletes are not yet able to access vaccination programmes and who would therefore be eligible to travel to either the hub in Doha (Qatar) or Kigali (Rwanda). They have been set up respectively by the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Rwanda Olympic Committee in relation with the relevant government and medical authorities in their regions and with Pfizer’s support. Concerned NOCs can apply for travel support from Olympic Solidarity should they need it.
On this important development, IOC NOC Relations and Olympic Solidarity Director James Macleod said: “We cannot thank enough the two NOCs, their national governments and Pfizer for their generosity and great show of willingness and support. The progress in preparation of work on the ground has been outstanding, and these additional vaccination opportunities are enabling the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to be safe and secure not only for the participants, but also for the Japanese people.”
H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, expressed delight to be a part of ‘this excellent initiative and to contribute to safe Olympic Games Tokyo 2020’.
“We are grateful to our colleagues in Japan and the IOC for their tremendous efforts in ensuring the Games can go ahead safely. We all have a responsibility to repay this hard work by doing everything we can to protect the health of the Japanese people and all Games participants,” he stated.
The Doha vaccination hub comes in addition to the Qatar Olympic Committee’s confirmation that it will also host the Refugee Olympic Team in early July in a training camp in Doha prior to the team travelling to Tokyo.
Meanwhile, IOC Member in Rwanda Felicite Rwemarika explained the rationale behind the decision to create a hub in Rwanda: “We were also driven to join this initiative in solidarity with our friends at the Japan Olympic Committee, who have constantly supported our NOC by generously hosting training camps for our athletes.”
This is yet another example of the spirit of solidarity that has been witnessed between NOCs, and one that the IOC is supporting in every possible way. From the outset, the IOC has underlined the importance of solidarity in the fight against the virus, and to see this become a reality is testament to the commitment of Olympic Movement stakeholders to making the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 safe and secure for all involved.
Currently as many as 75 per cent of the residents of the Olympic Village are already vaccinated or have secured vaccination; and there is good reason to believe that this figure will be well over 80 per cent at the time of the Games.
The new machines donated by the Government of Japan through the World Health Organization (WHO) were handed over to Rwanda on Wednesday 2nd May 2021.
As he received these machines, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije they will assist to do more tests in a faster way.
“These machines boost our capacity to do tests easily and faster because they are equipped with advanced technology whereby we can obtain test results with no delays. It capacitates us to do more tests per day. The Government of Rwanda has put forward plans to restore the economy and bring the situation to normal. Doing tests for people attending different activities is part of responsibilities of the Ministry of Health. It will be better finding us with capacity to do tests in a faster way,” he said.
After acquiring the new equipment, Rwanda will be capable of doing at least 3,000 from the current 1,000 PCR tests per day.
The Ministry of Health has revealed that the two machines will be used at Kigali International Airport and the National Referral Laboratory in Kigali city.
The Acting WHO Country Representative, Dr. Ndoungou Salla Ba said that Rwanda is among leading countries with much effort through different initiatives to defeat COVID-19 pandemic adding that received machines will help the country to cut the time that people spend waiting for test results.
“We continue our partnership with the Government of Rwanda along the journey to defeat the pandemic,” he noted.
Masahiro Imai, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda also emphasized that the support seeks to realize high-level test results and strengthen Rwanda’s national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They are Donatien Ufiteyezu, 35, and Oscar Bizimana, 30, who were paraded at Kigali Metropolitan Police Headquarters in Remera, Gasabo District.
They were arrested during the Police operation against banned skin bleaching products conducted on June 1, in Kigarama and Gikondo sectors of Kicukiro District.
Police also seized from the duo combined 1,451 pieces of assorted creams and oils worth Rwf768,100.
The seized skin whitening products include Mediven, Coco Pulp, Totem, Éclair 600, Extra Claire and Caro light.
Donatien Ufiteyezu, one of the suspects argued that he “wanted to sell the remaining stock and quite dealing in skin bleaching products.”
“I was not aware before that selling the skin whitening creams and oils is an unlawful business. I acquired the creams from street vendors and retailed them in my shop in Kigarama sector,” said Ufiteyezu.
“This time around, I had taken a decision to sell the creams were remaining in the shop and stop dealing in these products. Unfortunately, I was arrested at my shop when Police officers found the products in the shelves,” he added.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said these are continuous operations against people dealing in outlawed products.
“There are residents who are aware that the business of selling skin bleaching soap, creams and oils is illegal because of their health effects on users, and we want to thank them for reporting such unlawful businesses and dealers,” CP Kabera said.
Side effects
There are 1,342 listed cream and oil brands with hydroquinone and mercury, which are prohibited in Rwanda.
The products contain chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone, which can cause liver damage, reduce resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, and increase anxiety, according to the World Health Organization.
If it enters the bloodstream it also results into fatal liver and kidney damage, although medics say the most immediate visible side effect is skin scarring.
Health experts confirm that prolonged use of corticosteroid creams and lotions can also decrease levels of collagen in the skin.
Collagen strengthens and supports the skin, and a reduced amount can increase the risk of striae commonly known as stretch marks.
According to CP Kabera, the outlawed products are mainly sneaked into the country through illegal borders in small quantities sometimes using children in transportation and selling.
He said that these tricks used in trafficking and selling from their homes and hiden shops and stores have been unearthed and that the partnership with the public through information sharing on dealers continue to pay-off.
{{What the law says}}
The skin bleaching products are labeled illegal under the ministerial order determining the list of cosmetics, whose use is prohibited in Rwanda; the law on organization, functioning, and competence of the Council of Pharmacists; and the law relating to the regulation and inspection of food and pharmaceutical products.
Article 266 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who produces, sells or prescribes harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substance or any other products derived from plants, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or one of these penalties.
The statement released last night shows that 41 people caught the virus while 98 recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 27 064 people have been tested positive of whom 25 948 recovered,958 are active cases, five are critically ill while 358 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 350, 400 people have been vaccinated of whom 202,005 received the second vaccine shot.
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 new branch launched yesterday brought the bank’s nationwide footprint to 15 branches.
The Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, Hannington Namara explained that the new branch will facilitate clients in the area to access services easily.
“We have opened the 15th branch today following a study that stressed need to set up a branch here to serve varied customers who would travel to get services in other parts of the city,” he said.
Namara reiterated the bank’s commitment to maintain top notch services to customers.
“Even as the Bank continues to grow, we are committed to offering Rwandans a great customer experience with a variety of tailor-made products that speak to their financial needs,” he affirmed.
Apart from enjoying access to the banking hall which shall be open six days a week, both retail customers and businesses will have access to a well-equipped and well- staffed branch helping them to save and borrow.
Béatrice Mukagatare, the first client to open an account at the newly launched branch thanked the bank for bringing services closer to clients.
Equity Bank Rwanda began its operations in 2011 and is registered as a commercial bank by the National Bank of Rwanda. The Bank has its Head Office located in Kigali and is supported by 1503 agents, 1074 merchants and a network of 21 ATMs.
Equity Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Plc, a financial services company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange.
Under the partnership, MTN Rwanda has pledged to support two agribusinesses from HeHe’s Made in Rwanda incubation program. The agribusinesses AvoCare and SanCoffee will each receive Rwf 3 million to accelerate their e-Commerce growth.
The funds will aid the agribusinesses in marketing their products online on international markets as well as developing their own business e-Commerce storefronts. This, in turn, will attract more customers thus increasing their sales.
Currently, AvoCare and SanCoffee, among others, are undergoing a six-month intensive Digital Marketing course under the three-year Made in Rwanda incubation program. This incubation program aims to help SMEs grow their e-Commerce platforms and equip them with digital marketing tools.
Speaking at the event to handover cheques to beneficiaries, Mark Nkurunziza, MTN Rwanda Chief Finance Officer said: “We are pleased to partner with HeHe on this initiative to support SMEs in the agricultural sector to swiftly make that digital shift to selling their products on an e-Commerce platform. We have witnessed the impact Covid-19 has had on businesses and our economy in general, therefore it is imperative that businesses rake this step towards digitalization as part of their post Covid-19 recovery strategy.”
Also, in attendance was HeHe CEO Clarisse Iribagiza who commended the fruitful partnership.
“The Made in Rwanda e-Commerce Incubation Program was conceived with the vision to optimize agriculture supply chain from production to consumption, mitigating post-harvest losses and improving the likelihood of the majority of Rwandans. In August of 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we launched the program with partners such as MTN Rwanda to support agribusinesses leverage the power of digital platforms to access new markers and grow their business.”
MTN Rwanda’s Shared Value Initiatives are projects under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility focused in four key areas, namely Education, Communih/ & Health, Economic Empowerment and Government priorities. In 2020, with the aim to economically empower, MTN contributed Rwf100 million to the Government run Economic Recovery Fund to support SMEs recuperate from the impact of Covid-19.
Additionally, over the past two years, MTN under the Connect Women in Business program, have supported 12 women cooperatives in the agrobusiness sector to get off the ground and grow.
{{About MTN Rwanda}}
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 footprint and are the country’s No 1 network.
MTN Rwanda offers various innovative services to consumers and enterprises, including personalised voice, data, home and fixed connectivity solutions. The company is also the front runner in Mobile Financial Services in Rwanda delivered through its FinTech subsidiary, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd.
{{About Hehe}}
HeHe is a leading technology company that develops innovative technologies that enable businesses to optimize their operations and reach more customers anywhere and on the go. HeHe serves over 2 million users across Africa, facilitating business to offer their products and services on-demand and guaranteeing great customer experience to the lash-mile.
The two sectors were placed under lockdown after registering upsurge in new COVID-19 cases.
The statement signed by the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi dated Tuesday 1st June 2021 reads that lockdown has been lifted in the two sectors effective 2nd June 2021.
The Ministry urged the general public to continue adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures and reminded them that movements in Karongi district are prohibited from 7pm to 4am.
“Grass root leaders are urged to follow up compliance with these guidelines,” reads the statement in part.
The Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that discussions took place at Village Urugwiro but didn’t point out areas of discussions.
Senator James ‘Jim’ Mountain Inhofe, 86, who led the delegation has been representing Oklahoma State since 1994.
In 2018, he presented President Kagame’s outstanding achievements including the liberation struggle to stop Genocide to US Senate. Inhofe is also known for his interest in African affairs.
At the time, Inhofe said that he has friendship with many leaders on African continent including Head of States and Prime Ministers noting that there are special reasons pushing him to dedicate time to talk about one particular individual who is President ‘Paul Kagame’.
He started with the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi that took lives of over 1 million victims who were heinously killed within 100 days.
Senator Inhofe said that UN troops deployed in the country abandoned victims while the international community remained silent including Bill Clinton who was leading America at the time.
“It stopped because of one man who is Paul Kagame along with a group of Rwanda refugees from Uganda whose parents fled the country’s mass violence three decades before,” he said.
He explained that there were two choices after stopping Genocide including revenge or forgiveness and reconciliation but ‘he chose the last option’ for Rwandans to have a common future.
During his recent visit to Rwanda, he commended Rwanda’s cleanliness, registered development in terms of infrastructure, growing of tea, coffee, security and steadfast economy.
Senator Inhofe explained that Kagame has changed Africans’ mindsets to foreigners not because he doesn’t want to work with them but encouraging them to develop home grown solution towards achieving self-reliance.
Inhofe visited Rwanda at different times and held talks with President Kagame.
The taxi-moto was recovered on May 30, from two suspected thieves, who were also arrested.
The acting District Police Commander for Musanze, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Speciose Kayitesi identified the arrested prime suspects as Alexandre Tuyizere and Florence Nabana.
In the evening of May 29, at about 7pm, Bizimana, who was transporting a passenger, was ambushed by a group of people as he arrived at what was allegedly the final destination of the passenger in Cyuve Sector, Karwasa Cell.
The group of thieves assaulted Bizimana before stealing his motorcycle and mobile phone.
CIP Kayitesi said that during the attack, Bizimana and some residents who had come for his rescue, managed to identify one of the members of the Tuyizere.
“With information on one of the prime suspects, Police tracked down Tuyizere and arrested him on May 30, Gacaca Sector, Karwasa in Kavumu Village.
Tuyizere later led Police officers to the house of Florence Nabana in the same area, where they recovered the motorcyle and the latter also taken into custody,” CIP Kayitesi said.
She added that the search for other members of the criminal group is still under way.
Tuyizere and Nabana have been handed over to RIB at Cyuve station.
Article 166 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
The penalty for theft doubles if: theft is carried out during the night or by more than one person.
Under article 168, if theft is carried out with violence or threats, the penalty is an imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.