Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The suspects are identified as Hassan Nyandwi, 40, and Oscar Ibisamaza, 43.

Gicumbi District Police Commander (DPC), Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Bosco Minani, said the duo had earlier escaped after they were intercepted trafficking a sack of khat commonly known as Mayirungi.

“At about 1pm, Police responded to a call about two men, who were trafficking a sack of khat to Kigali on a motorcycle. During the operation, Nyandwi and Ibisamaza threw down the sack, which contained 251 rolls of khat, and run away,” CIP Minani said.

He added: “At about 6pm, Nyandwi and Ibisamaza showed up at the Police station and tried to seduce a Police officer with a bribe of Rwf70,000 so as to give them the impounded sack of khat, but they were immediately taken into custody and handed over to RIB for further legal actions.”

Khat is classified as a severe drug 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 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.

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years and not more than twenty five years, and a fine of between Rwf15 million and Rwf20 million, in regards to severe narcotic drugs.

Article 4 of law on fighting against corruption states that any person, who offers, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit solicited or offered.

The statement released last night shows that 137 people have caught the virus, 84 recovered while 4 are critically ill.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 24 814 have been tested positive of whom 23 089 have recovered, 1394 are active cases while 331 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 349,702 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide vaccination 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 in operations conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local leaders.

They were caught at the home of one Christine Vuguziga, 52, located in Nyamata Village, Rango Cell where they were gathered conducting a religious service.

The host of the service, Christine Vuguziga, a Catholic regretted the wrong doing and asked for forgiveness.

“My child got sick; so together with my daughter, who is affiliated to ADEPR church, we decided to invite christians from different churches to pray for my child. We were few when we started the service at 9pm on Monday, but the number increased to 20 and it became impossible for me to turn them away,” said Vuguziga.

The believers came from four different churches; Catholic, EAR, Eden Temple and ADEPR.

Among them, two came from Gishamvu, three from Tumba while others hail from Mukura Sector.

“Police found us praying at about 1am. I apologize for flouting the government safety guidelines,” said Vuguziga.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Southern region Police spokesperson, thanked the residents who reported the prohibited gathering.

“Police received information about a big gathering at the home of Vuguziga for an overnight service.

Police officers, who were deployed in response to the call, found the group at about 1am, congested in a small living room and with no masks,” SP Kanamugire said.
He warned believers against disregarding the health guidelines.

“Religious services are only allowed in churches, which were allowed to resume. If someone is sick, go to health facilities instead of putting people in danger,” he advised.
The group was taken to Mukura sector where they were educated on health measures and handed administrative fines for the violations.

The MoU aims at strengthening institutional capacities to rehabilitate inmates into more responsible citizens contributing to national development upon release.

The MoU also incorporates clauses to exchange best practices whereby Zambia can learn from Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) model to introduce community based health insurance for prisoners.

The implementation guidelines of existing MoU were signed yesterday at RCS headquarters during a bilateral meeting between RCS and Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS).

It was signed by RCS Commissioner General, Juvénal Marizamunda and his counterpart of Zambia, Dr. Chisela Chiles during a meeting aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two institutions in the field of correctional services.

CG Marizamunda commended existing cooperation entrenched on friendship between President Paul Kagame and his counterpart of Zambia, Edgar Lungu.

“The existing MoU in the field of correctional services helped to strengthen relations and cooperation between Rwanda and Zambia particularly RCS and ZCS,” he said.

“It is aimed at sharing expertize and challenges with a view to improve inmates correctional system,” added CG Marizamunda.

Rwanda is among countries that have embraced technology to streamline the judicial sector’s efficiency known as Rwanda Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) helping inmates to follow up their court cases.

CG Marizamunda explained that they are ready to assist Zambia to initiate the technology that has proved efficiency.

On another note, Zambia as a country with advanced expertize in research to monitor inmates has also committed to train Rwanda’s prison warders.

CG Dr. Chisela Chileshe also reiterated his country’s readiness to strengthen existing cordial relations and enhance inmates rehabilitation.

The suspects arrested in Karambi Village of Ndarage Cell are identified as Jean Marie Vianney Dusabimana, 27, and Victor Sangwamariya, 25.

According to the Acting District Police Commander (Ag. DPC) for Rulindo, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Viateur Gakara Munyurase, the suspects were arrested in Muyanza trading Center where they were attempting to defraud a trader.

“Police received information from a trader in Muyanza center that Dusabimana paid her a counterfeit note of Frw5,000. We intervened and arrested the suspect at the scene,” said CIP Munyurase

The trader was the previous day paid by the same client (Dusabimana) with a fake currency note of Frw5,000 after buying goods worth Rwf1, 000. The trader gave Dusabimana Frw4,000 as balance.

“After he successfully defrauded the trader the previous day and got Rwf4, 000 real money, Dusabimana went back on April 25, and tried to buy goods with another fake bill of Rwf5, 000 but the trader was quick to recognize that the note was counterfeit after comparing it with the fake bill she had received the previous day,” the DPC said.

“Dusabimana, after his arrest, said that he got fake currency notes from Victor Sangwamariya, a hairdresser in Muyanza trading center, who was also located and apprehended.”

Sangwamariya, who also operates a stationary in the same area, disclosed that Dusabimana approached him and asked him to make photocopies of a genuine note of Rwf5,000, which the latter had.

It is the same photocopies, which Dusabimana cut in the size of Rwf5,000 bill that he was using to fleece the unwitting members of the public.

CIP Munyurase warned against such criminal behaviours, which pose ill effects on people’s businesses and the economy, and called for information sharing on anyone involved.

The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Buyoga station for further investigation.

Article 269 of law No 68/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or bank notes which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.

Minister Biruta held talks with his Belgian counterpart after meeting representatives of Civil Society Organizations operating in Belgium.

On 24th April 2021, he met with Belgian investors and discussed opportunities and incentives for those willing to invest in Rwanda.

The visit which started on 23rd April 2021 is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation particularly in the areas of economy.

In 2016, the then Rwanda’s Ambassador in Belgium, Olivier Nduhungirehe met with King Philippe Léopold Louis Marie and agreed on scaling up efforts to promote bilateral ties.

Belgium has at different times provided funding worth over Rwf 64 billion utilized to expand electricity.

In 2019, Belgium also committed to finance Rwanda with Rwf 121 billion to be until 2024 allocated to health sector, agriculture, enhance urbanization and public funds management.

The statement released last night shows that the majority of new cases were found in Muhanga: 13, Kigali: 10, Nyamagabe: 9, Gicumbi: 8, Ngororero: 8 and Nyaruguru: 8.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 24 677 have been tested positive of whom 23 005 have recovered, 1342 are active cases while 330 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 349,702 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.