IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • COVID-19: One more death

    The statement released last night shows that 129 people have caught the virus, while 44 recovered.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then 26 344 people have been tested positive of whom 24 808 have recovered, 1190 are active cases while 346 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 350, 400 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 holds talks with Cyril Ramaphosa

    Kagame is in France to attend the International Conference on Sudan and Summit on Financing African Economies scheduled on 17th and 18th May 2021.

    During his visit, Kagame also held talks with his counterpart of France, Emmanuel Macron; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi and Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.

    Kagame and Ramaphosa met last in Ethiopia in February 2020 as they attended the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

    They had also met in March 2019 in South Africa ahead of a dinner hosted by Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) EDGE.

    Rwanda and South Africa have been hit by diplomatic tensions where Rwanda accused South Africa to grant refuge to fugitives intending to threaten Rwanda’s security like Kayumba Nyamwasa who escaped justice and currently heading RNC terror outfit.

    In March 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the problem of Rwandans being denied visas to South Africa would soon become history after holding talks with President Paul Kagame. However, up to now, Rwandans still struggle to get visa to travel to South Africa.

    Rwanda has at different times explained that actions of convicted people or fugitives should not blur bilateral relations.

    President Paul Kagame has held talks with his counterpart of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.

  • Kagame hails French report on 1994 Genocide against Tutsi as a ‘big step forward’

    The report (in French), which was years in the making, concluded that France remained a collaborator with the regime of the then President Juvenal Habyarimana that was behind the deaths of over 1 million victims in just 100 days and was “unwavering in its support” even when Genocide plans were clear.

    France has long been accused of complicity during Genocide against Tutsi. Asked if he would like France to apologise for the events of 1994, Kagame said he would not demand an apology but said he would “appreciate” one, if it were forthcoming.

    He also discussed violence in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and did not rule out the possibility of joint military operations with Kinshasa.

    Asked about the trial Paul Rusesabagina who was arrested last year in Rwanda, Kagame called for a “fair trial” but labelled Rusesabagina a “criminal”.

  • Kagame meets with Macron

    The International Conference on Sudan was held on Monday 17th May while the Summit on Financing African Economies is scheduled on Tuesday 18th May 2021.

    The conference held yesterday was also joined by heads of financial institutions.

    Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle that Kagame met with Macron in Paris on the sidelines of the conference.

    Areas of discussions have not been mentioned but both Heads of State met one month after the release of two reports that investigated the role of France during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

    These include ‘Duclert’ report made by expert committee comprised of historians commissioned by President Macron and ‘Muse’ report made on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.

    Both reports indicate that French Government led by François Mitterrand between 1990 and 1994 supported the regime the then President Juvénal Habyarimana which planned and executed the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

    During the conference on Sudan held yesterday, President Macron said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) member countries have agreed to clear Sudan’s arrears to the institution removing the final hurdle to the African nation getting wider relief on its external debt of at least $50 billion.

    He also revealed that France will provide Sudan with a $1.5 billion bridge loan to facilitate the clearance to promote debt relief and investment in the African country, adding that his country was in favor of a full clearance of the $5 billion it is owed by Sudan.

    Sudan is emerging from decades of economic sanctions and isolation under former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the military in April 2019 after an uprising.

    A transitional government appointed under a military-civilian power sharing deal is trying to pull the country out of a deep economic crisis with inflation at over 300% and shortages of basic goods.

    Sudan built up huge arrears on its debt, but has made rapid progress towards having much of it forgiven under the IMF and World Bank’s Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) scheme, allowing Sudan access to cheaper international financing.

    President Paul Kagame met with his counterpart of France, Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the International Conference on Sudan.

  • Kagame holds talks with Tshisekedi

    The Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that both Heads of State met ahead of the International Conference on Sudan and the Summit on Financing African Economies.

    DRC Presidency revealed that Kagame and Tshisekedi discussed areas of focus the African Union had to present during the meeting.

    Among others, DRC Presidency explained that Kagame commended his counterpart’s efforts to restore peace in Eastern part of his country and promised support to the cause.

    On 16th May 2021, Kagame also held talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and his counterpart of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde ahead of the conference on Sudan and Summit on Financing African Economies.

  • Drug dealer arrested with 1000 pellets of cannabis in Rusizi

    Beatrice Mukandayisaba, 27, was at the time collecting a new consignment of about 1000 pellets of cannabis when she was arrested by the Police.
    She is a resident of Kadashya Village, Ruganda Cell of Gihundwe Sector also in Rusizi District.

    The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said residents first intercepted a taxi-moto operator, who was delivering the narcotics to Mukandayisaba.

    “We received information from local residents about Congolese, who had delivered a consignment on the Rwandan territory through Lake Kivu, and gave it to a motorcyclist only identified as Said, before returning in the same direction towards DR Congo,” said CIP Karekezi.

    He added: “However, residents moved in quickly to intercept the motorcyclist as he rode away with the consignment, which they suspected to be narcotics.

    The motorcyclist dropped the sack containing the narcotics and fleed. Police officers deployed continued to survey the area believed to be the point where the motorcyclist was supposed to meet Mukandayisaba, until she arrived and arrested her as she was collecting the narcotics.”

    Mukandayisenga has since been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kamembe station.

    CIP Karekezi said the search for the motorcyclist, who transported the narcotics from the Congolese traffickers on the shores of Lake Kivu, is still underway.

    He thanked the vigilance and responsiveness of the residents.

    “The role of the public is important in fighting and preventing crimes, particularly in breaking chains of drug dealers,” said the spokesperson

    Cannabis is classified among the ‘very severe narcotics’ under the Ministerial order nº 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.

    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.

    In case of very severe drugs, the offender, upon conviction faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.

  • Over 150 arrested in prohibited parties

    Those arrested include 50 people, who were on Sunday, May 26, found holding a bridal shower in Kadashya Village, Ruganda Cell of Kamembe Sector in Rusizi District.

    Police and local leaders found the group, all female, in the bridal shower party in the house of one Janvier Niyikiza located in Kadashya village.

    “They were overcrowded in the living room, no face masks and drinking,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region.

    Other 30 violators were arrested the same day at Hotel du Lac located in Mururu Sector, also in Rusizi District where they were found drinking and playing Pool game.

    CIP Karekezi thanked residents, who reported the violations and facilitated the enforcement of the directives.

    The motel has since been closed and all the violators subjected to Covid-19 test at their cost as well as related administrative fines.

    Meanwhile, in Nyanza District, Police arrested a group of 73 people who attending a traditional marriage at Kingdom Village motel located in Mukoni Village, Kavumu Cell, Busasamana Sector.

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said the group was caught on Saturday, May 15, at about 11am.

    “Police received information that morning about a traditional marriage ceremony that was underway at Kingdom Village motel, owned by one Emmanuel Rekeraho. Police and local leaders went to the motel where 73 people were arrested, including the bride and the groom, although Rekeraho, the owner of the motel, managed to flee,” said SP Kanamugire.

    Celestin Fodi, the master of ceremony at Gusaba event, argued that they were trying to “follow and respect the tradition.”

    Violators were also subjected to Covid-19 test at their cost as well as administrative fines. Kingdom Village motel was also closed.

    Traditional marriage and bridal shower are among the prohibited gatherings under the national directives to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    SP Kanamugire warned against such errant and risky behaviours and thanked members of the public, who are playing a role in the enforcement of the directives and facilitating government efforts against the pandemic.

  • COVID-19: Rwanda records one more death, 74 new cases

    The statement released last night shows that 74 people have caught the virus while no one recovered.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 25 215 people have been tested positive of whom 24 764 have recovered, 1106 are active cases while 345 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 350, 400 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.

  • Man’s body found floating in River Yanze

    The body has been found today morning in Kiruhura village, Nyabugogo cell floating in the river.

    Residents have told IGIHE that the body might have flowed from Gatsata sector in Gasabo district.

    “We saw the body flowing from Gatsata around 8am but we are not sure if he was killed or drowned. The body had started swelling,” said Solange Mutuyimana.

    The executive secretary of Nyabugogo cell, Nkurayija Christophe, has said that the deceased has not yet been identified.

    Police rushed to retrieve the body.

  • King Faisal Hospital gets US$ 14 million for expansion

    According to a statement released today, the funds are meant to support the expansion of the hospital’s outpatient facilities in a 6-year primary forfaiting transaction.

    KFH is a multi-specialty 160-bed quaternary hospital providing a range of specialized health care in Eastern and Central Africa. In addition to the new outpatient clinic and doubling of the hospital’s outpatient facilities capacity to 45 consultation rooms, TDB’s financing will support the renovation and construction of the outpatient block’s education and research centre, day care premium facilities, electric substation, safety ramps, and main entrance and lobby.

    Additionally, patient flow and experience will be quicker and better, and each specialty clinic will now have a dedicated triage and consultation space.

    KFH contributes greatly to the realization of Rwanda’s Health Sector Strategic Plan IV priorities and targets, in turn which support the achievement of SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being in particular, as well as other goals indirectly.

    Admassu Tadesse, TDB Group Managing Director and CEO has said that the expansion of King Faisal Hospital will enhance much-needed access in the region to quality healthcare services and support the health and well-being of Rwandans.

    “This transaction is an example of TDB’s growing financial support to the health sector in this more challenging market environment marked by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he stated.

    Michael Awori, TDB Deputy CEO and COO explained that TDB worked with the sponsor of the project, the contractor and Bank of Kigali Plc (BK, delivering liquidity to enable the project to continue its implementation, unlocking additional impact, especially given the premium placed on liquidity during COVID.

    “Furthermore, apart from direct SDG-3 benefits, this project will contribute positively to the country’s balance of payments, via new receipts from regional medical tourism in Rwanda, and savings from Rwandan medical tourism abroad,” he noted.

    Prof. Miliard Derbew, King Faisal Hospital Chief Executive Officer welcomed the contribution of TDB which comes at a time when the hospital’s primary focus is to improve patient experience and the application of cutting-edge medical technology.

    “The construction of the education and research block will create an enabling environment for clinicians to develop innovative research projects that address Rwanda and the region’s unique clinical conditions and disease burden. This would also promote continuous capacity development for our medical practitioners, train in highest level specialties and have a fully established research center,” he said.

    TDB has been active in Rwanda since its establishment in 1985, providing support to the Government and to corporate clients alike, across various sectors – at the service of the sustainable development of the country.

    This transaction builds on a donation of portable patient monitors to Rwanda Biometric Center (RBC) made last year as part of TDB’s Covid-19 Emergency Response Programme (CERP), in support of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.