The statement released last night shows that 60 people have caught the virus out of 4382 sample tests while 167 recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 27 023 people have been tested positive of whom 25 850 recovered, 816 are active cases, three are critically ill while 357 have succumbed to the virus.
The Ministry has reported that 188,768 people have received the second vaccine shot including 21,082 inoculated yesterday.
A total of 350,000 people have been received vaccines 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.
IGP Dr. Kainja and his delegation are in Rwanda since Sunday for a five-day bilateral visit aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) as defined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
IGP Dr. Kainja and his delegation were received at PTS Gishali by the Commandant of the School, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti.
Through a presentation, the Commandant gave them an overview of PTS, its wings, and various courses offered.
“PTS was established to equip Police officers with skills, knowledge and the right attitude required of a professional Police officer and to offer quality services to people living in Rwanda but also in other countries through peacekeeping operations,” said CP Niyonshuti.
IGP Dr. Kainja and his delegation also toured various wings of the School as well as the range ground and the Formed Police Units (FPU) Training base camp.
PTS Gishari is one of three RNP schools. It shelters Cadet and Basic Police Course wings, Peace Support pre-deployment Training Centre, Gishari Integrated Polytechnic (GIP) as well as Police Logistics school.
It also conducts other specialized courses in areas of gender based violence and road traffic, refresher courses among others.
In his remark, IGP Kainja lauded the capabilities and training programmes of the School, some of which he said will be included in their training curriculum back home.
“This Police School has made tremendous progress in policing programmes,” IGP Dr. Kainja said.
He added: “We are impressed by the excellent, quality, and school performance. This indicates the advanced capability in public order maintenance and advanced response to criminals and terrorism. We wish some of our officers will be sent here to join your next trainings.”
Bank of Kigali Plc. has entered into a strategic partnership with Sheer Logic Management Consultants (SLMC), a specialized company providing Human Resources consultancy and training services to a diverse set of industries and economic sectors; both private and public.
The partnership with Sheer Logic Management Consultants involves outsourcing part of Bank of Kigali front line services in a bid to improve productivity and efficiency; therefore, offering a better experience to its customers. Additionally, partnering with SLMC will support the transformation journey the bank has embarked on to digitize its services.
“The decision to outsource the management of Bank of Kigali front line services to Sheer Logic Management Consultants followed a thorough process and is in line with best practices in the industry. This partnership will allow us to better serve our customers and deliver more value to our shareholders” said Dr. Diane Karusisi, Bank of Kigali CEO.
Sheer Logic Management Consultants has been providing Human Resources consultancy, staff outsourcing, recruitment and training services in East and Central Africa for over 20 years. Bank of Kigali will leverage SLMC expertise to train, motivate and increase employee performance.
{{About Bank of Kigali Plc.}}
Bank of Kigali Plc. is the largest commercial bank in Rwanda, by total assets. In 2017, Global Credit Ratings affirmed Bank of Kigali’s long-term and short-term national scale ratings of AA-(RW) and A1+(RW) respectively with a stable outlook.
The Bank has won several back-to-back international and regional banking awards from EuroMoney, The Banker, Global Finance Magazine, and EMEA Finance. Bank of Kigali has been recently awarded “Best Bank in Rwanda 2021” by Global Finance.
A renowned boutique management consulting firm with a strong presence in the East African region, Sheer Logic Management Consultants prides in having the coveted prize for the leading talent sourcing firm in Kenya (2019/20) according to Global Brands International. Incorporated in 1997, it has presence in Kenya, Mombasa, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The veteran academic will be the most senior representative of the university group in the region and will have oversight of its activities across Africa, including policy development, research, enterprise and innovation, and alumni engagement, among others.
Prof. Lwakabamba will drive business development in the region, using his vast experience, knowledge and network of contacts. He will build collaborative relationships and partnerships to assist long-term knowledge transfer.
The Africa Hub will serve as a base for Coventry University Group in the region, enabling new relationships and strengthening established ones.
Located at Kigali Heights, next to the Kigali Convention Centre, the Hub is part of the university group’s plan to develop a sustainable network of multi-faceted overseas offices. Coventry University Group’s ambition is to have a presence near to its stakeholders in key regions and follows the success of the Singapore and Dubai hubs.
Prof Lwakabamba earned his BSc and doctoral degrees in engineering in the United Kingdom and has held senior positions in higher education in Tanzania and Rwanda. He has also served in the cabinet of the Rwandan government, first as minister of infrastructure and then as minister of education.
Commenting on his appointment, Prof. Lwakabamba said: “ I am delighted to join Coventry University, which is one of the most entrepreneurial universities I know. For me, it is exciting to be part of an institution with great potential to make a difference for our African economies.”
Professor Mohamed Loutfi, the Vice-Chancellor’s Envoy, Coventry University Group said that Prof. Lwakabamba brings long-standing experience to build further relations within the region.
“We are excited to welcome Prof Silas Lwakabamba as the inaugural managing director of the Africa Hub. He is an exceptional leader, with a distinguished track-record in sub-Saharan countries. His wealth of experience, extensive network of strategic contacts, and profile as a highly respected thought leader will certainly add to Coventry University Group’s understanding and building of further relations within the Sub-Saharan Africa region,” he stressed.
Coventry University Group is focused on creating a global reputation as one of the world’s leading education providers and has achieved success as a leading recruiter of international students. Increasingly, through partnerships and directly, the university group is delivering education internationally. Its network of international hubs will support this work, helping to develop, oversee and manage all of the university group’s activity in their region.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved US$84.22 million in loans and grants to electrify nearly 80,000 rural households in south Rwanda. The project will advance the country’s goal of universal electrification and benefit small businesses and youth.
The funds comprise a loan of US$36.77 million from the Bank Group’s African Development Fund and a US$47.45 million ADF grant. The approval was made on 26 May.
The Transmission System Reinforcement and Last Mile Connectivity project will provide first-time electricity connection to 77,470 households to the grid, entailing the construction of 595 km of medium voltage distribution lines and 1,620 km of low voltage distribution networks in six southern Rwanda districts. The project will also see the upgrade, rehabilitation and extension of 1,720 km of low voltage network, and distribution of transformers in secondary cities with high load.
The project is expected to improve power supply reliability and stability across the country, expand electricity access and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling access to clean energy. The project is also expected to bolster education by extending students access to light for study, and benefit small and medium enterprises while enhancing job creation for youth.
The statement released yesterday shows that the project is part of the Rwanda Universal Energy Access Program (RUEAP), which seeks among other goals, to achieve universal access to electricity by 2024. It is also aligned with the country’s long-term development framework, Vision 2050.
The project also draws from two of the Bank’s High-5 strategic priorities: Light Up and Power Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
DOT will work with local organizations to help young people tap into IBM’s free Open P-TECH’s (ptech.org) career readiness curricula. The platform equips learners with competencies in foundational technologies used in all industries, such as AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity, along with professional workplace skills like design thinking, teaming, and presentations.
Together, the organizations will aim to reach at least 40,000 young people in 8 countries – Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Jordan and Lebanon. 70% of the youth will be young women.
The pandemic has laid bare the gaps and inequitable access to the digital literacy, employment and entrepreneurship skills that youth require to innovate, compete for jobs, or start businesses in a digital economy. The gender gap is extreme – with women over 50% less likely to be online than men in least developed countries where 390 million women remain unconnected.
Poised to change this are IBM’s new Open P-TECH digital education platform with its potential to scale within formal and informal education systems, and the support of DOT’s network of young leaders with the facilitation, coaching and peer-to-peer talents that are critical to the effectiveness, application and retention of online learning.
“Providing career skills to youth, particularly young women and those from under-resourced communities, can be life changing,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Global Head, Corporate Social Responsibility.
“With resources like IBM Open P-Tech bolstered by the efforts of organizations like Digital Opportunity Trust, we aim to advance equity and create access to opportunity,” she added.
The collaboration brings together complementary experience and assets: IBM with its technology and business expertise, and DOT with its extensive channels to youth and local community ecosystems.
DOT’s research shows that young people with these skills become the leaders and contributors to the digital transformation of their communities, countries, and economies.
DOT Founder and CEO Janet Longmore said: “DOT and IBM have a history working together and developing the mutual trust that underpins successful collaboration. This partnership, around the Open P-TECH platform, is an example of how the private sector and a social enterprise with “feet on the street” can mobilize their assets to benefit youth and young women in marginalized, rural and remote communities. We share a belief that youth want opportunities to be the innovators and catalysts of digital transformation, shaping the future of work in an inclusive world.”
{{About Digital Opportunity Trust}}
Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) works with youth, the private sector, governments, and community-based organizations towards a collaborative vision of communities around the world shaped by daring social innovators.
As an international organization with locally-managed offices in Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania, DOT has worked in 25 countries as development innovators and catalysts since being founded in 2001. DOT’s growing network of 6,000 local youth have created opportunities for over 1 million people in communities across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Indigenous Canada. Learn more about DOT at https://dotrust.org.
{{About IBM Open P-TECH}}
Open P-TECH is a digital education platform focused on workplace learning and digital skills. The platform, building on the industry-leading P-TECH program, equips learners with foundational technology competencies. Training in technologies such as AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity, along with professional skills like design thinking, that are highly valued in the market set Open P-TECH apart. Open P-TECH is available to students and teachers worldwide at https://open.ptech.org.
On Monday, IGP Dan Munyuza and his visiting counterpart chaired a bilateral meeting at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru.
It was also attended by the Deputy IGPs; Felix Namuhoranye of Operations and Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza of Administration and Personnel.
IGP Munyuza observed that the visit cements the existing bilateral cooperation between the two law enforcement institutions and that it will strengthen the collective resolve in addressing policing challenges to ensure the safety and security of people.
Rwanda National Police and Malawi Police Service signed a cooperation pact in March 2019 to formalize cross-border partnership in various disciplines of policing including training, joint operations, tracking and exchange of criminals, combating terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crimes, and information sharing on security related matters, among others.
“Cooperation is a cornerstone in addressing contemporary security challenges such as terrorism, cybercrimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking and financial crimes among others.
These crimes continue to threaten safety and security of our peoples. With such an interaction, we can together lay strategies and establish operational frameworks to deal with these threats with much emphasis on Islamic State-linked terrorism in our respective regions,” IGP Munyuza said.
Terrorist networks, he added, have spread in the region and terror cells have been established in some parts of Africa, which calls for fast response and working more closely together to confront terrorism cells in countries and regions.
He emphasized the need for practical framework and permanent forums through which the respective officers will be meeting periodically to review, share information and draw coordinated actions to respond to security challenges especially on armed groups and terrorism activities within and beyond the two borders.
IGP Munyuza reiterated RNP’s commitment to the cooperation and collaboration for the mutual benefit of the people in Rwanda and Malawi.
On his part, IGP Kainja said that the bilateral meeting provides a platform through which the relationship and cooperation between the two Police institutions will be strengthened, and a chance to explore new areas of cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime.
He observed that in a globalized world, most often, countries face common challenges that require joint efforts to address. However, added, there are times when countries are also confronted by unique challenges that require specific partners.
“There is no doubt that some Rwanda citizens living in Malawi may be persons of interest to the Rwandan National Police and as such the two Police institutions need to cooperate on information and intelligence sharing. This will help to avoid making Malawi a haven for criminal elements affecting Rwanda,” IGP Kainja said.
He said that strong cooperation will innovatively identify strategies that can be mutually implemented to protect the two countries from terrorism and contribute to regional safety and security.
During his stay in Rwanda, IGP Kainja will also visit RNP schools and other development projects in the country.
It is due to this background that ‘Ni Nyampinga’, organized a campaign dubbed ‘Akurane Itoto’ loosely translated as ‘Growing Up Healthy’ to raise awareness among teen mothers and young parents in general to adhere to children immunization programmes and improve nutrition.
Launched by Girl Effect in 2011, “Ni Nyampinga” is a Rwandan youth brand which empowers girls to navigate the pivotal time of adolescence, so they are enabled to make choices about their health, education and economic future through interactive platforms including a magazine distributed across the country, radio shows, a serial radio drama, digital platforms, a network of brand ambassadors and self-started clubs.
The campaign followed research that indicated gaps in immunization and improved nutrition programs among children in some districts.
The Country Director of Girl Effect, Tiva Kananura has explained that this Ni Nyampinga campaign took heed to sensitizing teen and young mothers between the age of 15 and 24 on improved nutrition and routine immunization.
The campaign also focused on the role of the society to properly raise children below 2 years old ensuring proper nutrition and access to vaccines.
Tiva Kananura said: “The campaign was conducted across all districts countrywide with a special focus on Gakenke, Huye, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyamagabe, Nyabihu and Ruhango districts which were identified with gaps in vaccination programs.”
In all districts with special focus on the seven priority districts, young parents were enlightened on the benefits of getting children fully vaccinated and how to prepare a balanced diet for their children to grow up healthy.
Ni Nyampinga encouraged Rwandans to take advantage of introduced vaccination policies for children’s smooth growth.
Speaking to IGIHE; Aurore Irangeneye, a researcher and gender specialist has explained that Rwanda has enough vaccines but some parents don’t enroll children into vaccination programs due to inadequate information.
“Rwanda has vaccines for all children, but some people don’t have access to related information. We organized an engagement with our beneficiaries, both male and female, to acquaint them with the relevance of vaccination programmes, update them on the right times to take vaccines and teach them how to prepare a balanced diet,” she said.
Ni Nyampinga distribution manager, who is also a researcher, Jolie Umunyana has revealed that the campaign was facilitated by ambassadors of “Ni Nyampinga” who assisted beneficiaries through different methodologies and trained them on reproductive health as well.
“We sensitized them on changing their mindsets towards the vaccination programme to understand that it is a shared responsibility among both parents to get children vaccinated. The child should not miss vaccine shots on specific dates because the mother is not present. The husband is also concerned. That is why barriers emanating from gender inequality mindsets should not get loopholes to impede routine immunization.” she stated.
“We also taught teen/young mothers how to prepare a balanced diet within available means. We distributed mini-magazine containing specifically tailored information targeting young mothers and displayed wallpapers with that information at health centers. Men also received leaflets and in-person engagement reminding them of their contribution,” added Umunyana.
Even though a lot has been done; Ilaria Buscaglia, Senior Qualitative Analyst at Girl Effect Rwanda has said that there is still a long way to go for people to understand the relevance of having both parents engaged in childcare which include nutrition and routine immunization.
“We have rolled out the campaign, but changes won’t come at once. There is still a long journey for every man to understand that getting children vaccinated is part of their responsibility. We should focus efforts to communicate relevant information to ensure children get all vaccines and eat properly for smooth growth,” she explained.
The campaign held recently reached 9 635 teen mothers, 7 783 young boys, 1 424 teen fathers and 9 932 older parents. Vaccination and nutrition content produced by Ni Nyampinga can also be accessed from 63,000 Smart Classrooms in schools and 348 access points in the 7 priority districts, as well as on a digital platform called 8-4-5 which uses IVR and USSD technology.
Some participants said that they had fallen victims of beliefs and lack of information and pledged to properly raise their children following the campaign.
“I used to think that two vaccine shots were enough for the child before reading Ni Nyampinga’s mini-magazine dubbed ‘ Ni Bo Ejo’. The campaign equipped me with the right knowledge and taught me that a child received vaccines up to 15 months,” said a 17-year old teen mother from Huye district.
“The campaign was very beneficial because I used to laugh at men taking children for vaccine shots. I have changed my mind, I recently took my child to take the vaccine we had missed in the past two months. Health workers were extremely delighted to see me coming with the child,” revealed a man from Nyabihu district.
The campaign was funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and was implemented in partnership with Girl Guides, The Ministry of Youth and Culture through the National Youth Council, Ministry of Education through the Rwanda Education board, the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), ActionAid, AEE, AVSI Rwanda, Duhozanye, Empower Rwanda, Komera, Miracle Corners, PACT and RWAMREC.
The five-day tour is part of the one-year course to link theories to realities on the ground. The Police students are from five African countries, namely; Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Namibia and Somalia.
On Monday, May 31, the students, who were accompanied by the NPC Commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Christophe Bizimungu, visited Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Kigali Special Economic Zone where they were given deep understanding on Rwanda’s investment and development agenda.
At RDB, Fred Karemera, One Stop Center division manager gave them a detailed background of Rwanda’s economic and investment journey.
“Investing in Rwanda and the milestone taken was possible because security is guaranteed. No one can invest in an unsafe environment because you will be exposing that investment to high risks. Again, the good governance system and the ease of doing business are a big boost in attracting investments in a safe and secure country,” said Karemera.
He, however, noted that the economy and investment were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic world over, and that Rwanda equally experienced similar challenges in different areas of national development, but added that the country took steps contain the pandemic but also to remain on the economic growth path.
According to Commissioner Monaliza Molebugi from Namibia, the tour gave them an in-depth understanding on how security plays a great role in the country’s economic development.
The tour is one of the NPC’s PSCSC programmes for the students to get deep grasp realities related to security, governance, economy, and social welfare combined with the maintenance of law and order in countries, the region and beyond.
The students are scheduled to visit other institutions in different sectors of law enforcement, governance, security, foreign policy, and economic development.
The one-year course offers police operation and staff work, strategic leadership in police studies and master’s programme in Peace Studies and Conflict transformation.
The cabinet meeting that convened yesterday at Village Urugwiro was chaired by President Paul Kagame. It also reviewed other COVID-19 preventive measures.
Traditional weddings and related receptions have been allowed to resume following nearly a year and half under restriction.
Usually Religious and civil wedding have been allowed with minimal attendance of 20 persons observing COVID-19 health guidelines. Receptions were not allowed that whoever caught violating the directive was subject to penalties.
The cabinet decision has lifted these restrictions for introduction and dowry giving that had been put on halt.
“Traditional wedding and related receptions shall resume not exceeding 30 people. However, when conducted in open gardens/hotels, entertainment venues or open gardens, they should not exceed 30% of venue capacity and COVID-19 testing will be required,” reads part of the cabinet communiqué.
Among others, outdoor sports has is allowed and must comply with health preventive measures.
The cabinet meeting also allowed gaming operators to resume activities gradually upon fulfilling COVID-19 preventive measures.
Curfew hours have been maintained between 10pm to 4am while all businesses shall close by 9pm.
However, special measures have been set for Karongi district where curfew starts from 7PM-4AM due to the increase of new COVID-19 cases.
New measures take immediate effect from 1st June 2021 to be reviewed after one month upon health assessment.
Among others; all bars will remain closed, places of worship adhering to health guidelines will continue to function at 50% maximum occupancy, public transport buses should not exceed 75% capacity, physical meetings will continue not exceeding 30% of venue capacity while public and private offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 50% capacity as other employees continue to work from home on a rotational basis.
