Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

According to a statement released today, the new appointment is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the rapidly expanding event management company.

planitswiss is a global exclusive event designer and producer headquartered in Switzerland with regional offices in Singapore, France, Rwanda, and China.

planitswiss is part of a global group providing innovative and trendsetting services in events.

Kagara Isaac brings local knowledge and experience with a proven track record in the Meeting Incentive Conference & Events (MICE) sector. Previously, Kagara, oversaw sales at the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) to market Rwanda as Africa’s top MICE destination. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management.

With Kagara based in Kigali, the new appointment is expected to position planitswiss even stronger in the market and support its ambitious growth plans in the region.

COVID-19 has majorly impacted the global economy and the MICE industry, planitswiss has however grown worldwide, offering its virtual and hybrid event solutions to international and local customers.

Kagara is expected to deliver successful tailor-made corporate, public, and exclusive events in the region, leveraging the group’s experience in hybrid and virtual events.

The youth people are among the majority arrested in varied violations in different parts of the country, especially holding social events.

In the latest operations conducted in Rubavu District between April 30 and May 3, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local leaders arrested 138 violators, majority of them the youth.

At least 76 violators were arrested on April 30, while 62 others were apprehended in two separate operations conducted on May 2nd and 3rd, According to the Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi.

“In most cases, these young people arrested in almost similar violations holding social events and drinking, come from City of Kigali for leisure activities in Gisenyi,” CIP Karekezi said.

“In the operation conducted on May 3, we caught 22 young people from Kigali, at Elevate hotel in Gisenyi town where they had spent two days; they were at the time drunk and with a public music system outside from where they were found gathered and dancing,” he added.

The previous day on May 2, Police and local authorities had arrested 40 people in different bars where they were found drinking.

CIP Karekezi warned the young people against such inappropriate and risky behaviours, which pose risks of spreading the virus.

He further reminded owners of hospitality establishments of their responsibility to ensure that prevention measures are respected by clients in their facilities.

All those arrested are taken to Umuganda stadium in Gisenyi town where they are tested for COVID-19 at own cost and fined for the violations by local authorities.

The statement released last night shows that no one succumbed to the virus yesterday. The majority of new cases were found in Karongi district: 34, Kigali: 8, Huye: 4 and Kirehe: 3.

The remaining nine cases were found in six districts.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th march 2020. Since then, 25 311 people have been tested positive of whom 23513 have recovered, 1 461 are active cases while 337 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 350, 141 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 violators were arrested at about 2pm in the bar belonging to one Gatera Anastase, 60, located in Rusabira Village, Ryaruyumba Cell, Manyagiro Sector.

Bars are among services that are still closed under the government measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“They were found congested in a small room drinking locally produced brew. They were drinking from the same containers and sharing straws disregarding all safety guidelines,” said Gicumbi District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Bosco Minani.

He added that the violators were apprehended following a tip off from a concerned local resident.

“We received a call from a local resident, that the bar belonging to Anastase Gatera was open with many people inside drinking, and that Gatera always operates his bar disregarding the directives.

Police found 16 people in the bar sharing drinks and took them into custody alongside the owner of the bar, Gatera, who was also with them at the time,” the DPC said.

He thanked the “responsible resident” for reporting the violators adding that it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that safety guidelines are adhered to and to share information on those who undermine the directives.

The violators were taken to Cyumba Police station, educated on the government measures to contain the pandemic and handed administrative fines by local authorities.

Candidates were chosen from more than hundreds of nominations received from across the Commonwealth following a careful review process. They will compete for the nine executive seats on the council.

The online campaigning, which started on 30th April 2021 with candidates announcing their manifestos, will end on 21 May. The voting will take place online on 22 and 23 May, while the results will be out on 24 May.

Elected candidates will serve the council from 2021 to 2023 and will lead inclusive consultation, projects and events to bring forward ideas and concerns of young people to shape youth development policies and frameworks.

Speaking ahead of the announcement, the outgoing Commonwealth Youth Council chairperson, Tijani Christian, said: “Today, we announce a set of talented young people willing to serve the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people.

“It is important for young people to remain active in the political process through the council and the elected candidates will be the outlet to carry forward their mandate.”

He added: “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that leadership matters. So, the election will allow young people to provide the innovative, inclusive and impactful leadership that will help us safeguard an inclusive and sustainable future for all.”

The candidates were shortlisted by the Electoral Board of the Commonwealth Youth Council.

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Head of the Commonwealth’s Social Policy Division, Layne Robinson, urged young people to get involved in the election and engage with candidates on their policy manifestos.

He said: “The disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on young people have revealed that our current system is not working for them. That is not going to change if we return to business-as-usual after the pandemic.

“The pandemic offers a window of opportunity to ensure the voices of young people inform the recovering and rebuilding efforts. The council offers one such avenue to ensure young people feel heard and supported in the decision-making process.”

Mr Robinson added: “That is why, young people should pay attention to the candidates they want to lead the council, who will, on their behalf, work with governments and other stakeholders to realise their needs and aspirations.”

Nominees were required to submit a detailed application that involved their manifestos, personal profile, a letter of endorsement from a national youth council or a youth-led body, and a letter of attestation from a government department.

The election will follow a transparent, fair, independent and democratic process.

Set up in 2013, the Commonwealth Youth Council aims to advance the youth development agenda across the 54 member countries and boost young people’s participation at all levels of decision-making.

Find out more about the 41 candidates contesting in the CYC Executives Election 2021.

The deceased are two men aged 40 and 68 from Kigali city.

The statement released last night shows that 28 people have caught the virus, 97 recovered while 1 patient is critically ill.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 25 253 people have been tested positive our of 1,320,731 sample tests of whom 23 442 have recovered, 1474 are active cases while 337 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 350, 141 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.

At least 1031 assorted bottles of liquor, which were stolen from the stores, were also recovered from the house of one William Iradukunda (also arrested) located in Kimisagara Sector, Nyarugenge District.

Five of those arrested in connection with the theft of liquors include five security guards attached to AGESPRO, who were guarding the warehouse and three buyers.
Three other suspects are part of the ring that breaks into houses mainly stealing electronics such as flat television sets and computers. Two laptops and assorted computer accessories were recovered from the trio.

All the 11 suspected thieves were showed to the media on Sunday, May 2, at the Police metropolitan headquarters in Remera.

Jacques Cyubahiro, one of the arrested security guards and the mastermind in the theft at Bolloré Transport and Logistics warehouse, admitted to the crime.

He disclosed that together with other security guards, they broke into one of the liquor containers and took out 1031 bottles at night after securing buyers.

“Previously, we would break into the containers and take out few bottles just for us to drink, but after we got buyers, we hired a vehicle, loaded 1031 bottles at night, which we delivered to Iradukunda,” Cyubahiro explained.

William Iradukunda, the businessman found in possession of the stolen liquors, claimed that his suppliers made him believe that they bought the liquors in a public auction.

Jean Pierre Murama, the vice manager at AGESPRO, regretted the criminal actions of their security guards but said the private security firm is going to strengthen on-job training of their personnel to avert such acts.

Meanwhile, Jean Pierre Mbaraga, one of those arrested over theft of electronics, disclosed that they stole the laptops from Kibagabaga hospital, where he guised as a patient.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said the suspects were identified and arrested following investigations into the two separate burglaries.

“When victims reported the theft, operations to arrest the suspects and recover the stolen items were commenced and were successful. We are still searching for other two people connected to the theft of liquors,” CP Kabera said.

Security guards, he said, should be professional and adhere to ethical standards for the safety of the property or premises under their protection.

Article 166 of the law determining offences 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 between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.

Article 167 of the same law states that the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner or more than one person.

However, in article 176, any person given or entrusted with an item and who is obliged to return it or use it as instructed but who misappropriates, embezzles, scatters or gives it to another person, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf500, 000 and Rwf1 million.