Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

At least 40 people were found congregating in the house of one Velonique Nyiramazimwe ,55, located in Bitare Village, Kabujenje Cell of Kivumu Sector, Rutsiro District.

The worshippers include 30 people, who came from Rubavu District and 10 from Rutsiro District.

The believers, it is said, came from different churches in Rubavu and Rutsiro districts and gathered in the house of Nyiramazimwe to pray for one of their members whom they alleged was possessed by evil spirits.

Another group of 28 violators was found at a cinema hall of one Yunusu Bihoyiki, 35, watching football in Nyanza Village, Kabaya Cell, Kabaya Sector in Ngororero District.

The Executive Secretary for Kabaya Sector, Simon Ndayisenga warned of severe consequences to anyone caught undermining the national COVID-19 prevention directives.

“We are still seeing new infections and over 300 have died; it’s so unfortunate that despite these threats, there are people who can go against the directives putting their lives, families and communities at risks,” Ndayisenga said.

“We should all be concerned by self protection to prevent the spread or infecting others by avoiding such gatherings because you cannot know who is infected or not.”

The Western Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, said the two separate prohibited gatherings were reported by concerned local residents.

’’Police and local leaders responded to the calls from residents on many people who were gathered in the cinema hall of Yunusu Bihoyiki watching Uefa champions league. Some of them managed to escape but 28 were arrested in the process,” CIP Karekezi said.

“First, such gatherings are prohibited, they had no face mask, no hand washing facilities and were congested disregarding social distancing,” he added.

The Western region Spokesperson reminded the public that gatherings are prohibited and guidelines must be followed without exception including religious services which must be held in allowed places of worship and always complying with Covid-19 preventive measures.

He thanked residents who share information with security organs and encouraged continued partnership against such violations.

The statement released last night shows that 72 people have caught the virus, 211 recovered.

The majority of new cases were found in Nyamagabe: 18, Nyaruguru: 8, Huye: 8, Nyanza: 7, Rwamagana: 6.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 23 744 people have been tested positive of whom 21 805 have recovered, 1618 are active cases, 8 are critically ill while 321 have succumbed to the virus.

So far, 349 427 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.

Rwanda FPU-2 contingent of 160 officers left Kigali International Airport at about 10am under the command of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Jerome Ntageruka to conduct peacekeeping duties in Kaga-Bandoro, over 300kms north of the capital Bangui.

Rwanda FPU-1, also with 160 officers left KIA at about 7pm led by CSP Claude Bizimana. They will be deployed in the capital Bangui.

The replaced contingents later arrived back home safely after 15 months of successful tour-of-duty.

Commissioner of Police (CP) George Rumanzi, Commissioner for Operations and Public Order, presided over the departure and arrival of the contingents, on behalf of RNP.

CP Rumanzi commended the contingents that returned home for their resilience, exhibiting Rwandan values and serving with integrity throughout their peacekeeping mission.

“The RNP leadership and the country in general appreciates your professional practices and service during your tour-of-duty despite the challenges and hard situation you experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. You served selflessly with dignity that definesf Rwanda,” CP Rumanzi said.

The service, he said, continues back home and urged them to maintain their professionalism and discipline in their new deployments.

The officers will be quarantined and tested for Covid-19 before joining their families or taking new deployments back home.

CP Rumanzi urged them to continue observing Covid-19 prevention measures including wearing face mask, observing social distancing, washing hands and other government directives.

SP Octave Mutembe Butati and SSP Eric Kabera Mwiseneza guided FPU-1 and FPU-2, respectively, safely back home.

The contingent commanders thanked the officers under their command for the professionalism, teamwork, respect and discipline which guided their successfully peacekeeping duties.

During the 15 months, they carried out various duties including protection of displaced persons, public order management, escort duties, protection of high profile officials but also distributed water among local communities facing water shortage, among others.

He saluted survivors’ resilience recently during a ceremony held in France to commemorate Genocide against Tutsi.

This year, Rwandans in France and their friends began commemoration events on 7th April which continue to be observed under the theme ‘Remembrance, sharing history of Genocide against Tutsi to resist deniers’.

The first commemoration event was held in Paris, at the memorial site of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi located in the place known as ‘Jardin de mémoire’ ( garden of memory).

The event was attended by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo; Rwanda’s ambassador in France, Dr. François Xavier Ngarambe; the director of the Mémorial de la Shoah Paris, Jacques Fredj and Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France.

On 9th April, Ibuka-France held talks that revolved around resisting Genocide denials.

Talks were delivered by historian and researcher, Hélène Dumas; lecturer in history Romain Poncet; retired French officer who served under Opération Turquoise in 1994 in Rwanda, Guillaume Ancel and François, a member of ‘ Survie’ association in France.

Discussions were moderated by Anmeric Givord, a member of Ibuka-France council.

Recently on 11th April 2021, Ibuka-France held virtual talks in commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi that brought together historians and researchers on genocide history among others.

Speaking at the beginning of 27th commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi, the President of Ibuka-France, Nsanzimana said that remembrance helps to pay tribute to over 1 million Genocide victims brutally killed for their innate personality.

“We are gathered here to commemorate. We have suspended other activities to take this time to reflect on the dark history whereby over 1 million Tutsi were killed after long preparations to exterminate them. It was in April 1994, when churches and schools among other places turned into killing grounds. Clerics, renowned artistes and other officials became cruel and orchestrated killings,” he said.

Nsanzimana requested participants to reflect and comfort Genocide survivors who are unable to attend commemoration events due to Coronavirus pandemic.

He also commended the bravery of Genocide survivors who kept soldiering on along the resilience journey despite wounds of losing relatives.

“I would like to remind you that survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi endured extreme cruelty. Even though they were left bare hands, they lived in the world of hurdles and kept soldiering on. The resilience journey was troublesome, but they sought solutions and carried on their bravery until they became who they are today. They also contribute to national development,” she stressed.

Nsanzimana hailed RPF Inkotanyi for liberating the country and stopping Genocide.

Hosted in Rwanda for the 3rd time, the forum will be held under the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Accountability in Public Procurement for an Effective Emergency Response » where discussions will revolve around emergency such as Covid-19.

The East African Procurement Forum (EAPF) is an event which gathers Heads of public procurement regulatory bodies from East African Community (EAC) member states and other participants on annual basis.

The forum will attract around 300 participants including Government officials, public procurement industry Experts, Government suppliers/Bidders, Development Partners, members of Civil Society and procurement Training Institutions, to mention but a few, in order to discuss public procurement issues and to come up with tangible resolutions impacting legal and regulatory framework of public procurement.

According to Joyeuse Uwingeneye, the Director General of RPPA, this year’s edition will provide an opportunity for participants to debate and share knowledge and experience about emergency procurement during Covid-19.

“COVID-19 has been a catalyst for emergency procurement. The pandemic forced us to take a certain stand towards certain decisions. With the upcoming East African Procurement Forum (EAPF), we shall be able to discuss public procurement issues and experiences, and be able to come up with tangible resolutions that can positively impact our sector,” she said.

The forum will be facilitated by different experts in procurement from the EAC region and others who come from different countries of the World. The key target objective of the meeting is to identify the effects of emergencies on public procurement in EAC region, share experiences from COVID-19 pandemic, challenges faced, noted gaps and lessons learnt for better performance in the future

The magnitude of emergencies due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic has led to the increased demand for goods and services, limited economic activities due to restrictions on normal operations, etc.

This forum will discuss the impact of emergency situations on public procurement (opportunities for the manipulation of information, conditions that encourage the improper use of public funds, etc) as of analysis of different experts.

They were arrested in separate operations conducted on Tuesday, April 13, in Rubavu, Rulindo and Gasabo districts.

In Rubavu, one only identified as Munyaneza was intercepted in Nyamirango Cell of Kanzenze Sector with 2,363 pellets of cannabis.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said Munyaneza was reported by a reformed drug dealer and addict.

“As many young people continue to take the right direction from dealing or abusing drugs, some of them take further steps to report those who were supplying them.
This is how Munyaneza was identified and arrested red-handed with a bundle of 2363 pellets of cannabis after one of his former customers, who has since quit drugs, provided ANU with credible information about his criminal drug business,” CIP Karekezi said.

Following his arrest, Munyaneza, a resident of Busasamana also
in Rubavu District, disclosed that he has been operating a drug business for a while now.

He added that he was trafficking the narcotics into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and supplying retailers in different parts of the country, especially in City of Kigali.

According to Munyaneza, he had casual workers, who were responsible for ensuring that consignments of cannabis are sneaked into Rwanda from DRC, and delivered to his clients.

One of his employees was also arrested recently with over 6000 pellets of cannabis.

Meanwhile, four other drug dealers arrested by ANU on the same day include the duo of Damascene Ntabanganyimana alias Tafu, 33, and Alex Hakizimana, 26, who were intercepted in Rudogo Cell, Cyinzuzi Sector in Rulindo District with 8kgs of cannabis.

They were at the time travelling on a motorcycle plate number RD 456Z, which was also impounded. They further disclosed that they get the narcotics from Uganda and that the motorcycle was being used to supply their retailing clients.

Again in Rulindo, ANU recovered 184 pellets of cannabis in the house of one Marthe Mukandezi located in Murambi Sector, Gatwa Cell.

In Gasabo District, one Jean Robert Ndungutse was arrested in Kacyiru Sector, Kamatamu Cell with a consignment of cannabis.

All the suspects were handed over to RIB.

Cannabis is listed as a “very severe drug” in Rwanda with a sentence, upon conviction, ranging between 20 years and life in prison, and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million, under article 263 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general.

The pre-deployment briefing was held at Police Training School (PTS) Gishali in Rwamagana District.

The contingents include Rwanda Formed Police Unit-One (RWAFPU-1) of 160 officers commanded by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Claude Bizimana, which will replace the same number operating in the capital Bangui.

RWAFPU-2 headed by CSP Jerome Ntageruka will be heading to Kaga-Bandoro to replace the contingent, which was deployed there more than a year ago.

IGP Munyuza reminded the officers that their peacekeeping and ambassadorial duties should be guided by the highest level of discipline and integrity.

“You are peacekeepers and ambassadors; whatever you do should reflects the values and good image of your country as Rwandans ” IGP Munyuza told the officers.

He urged them to look out and support each other as a team, work with and respect other peacekeepers, be resilient and ensure hygiene.

“You were trained and prepared for this tour-of-duty; be selfless, exhibit professional characters, respect each other and your superiors in particular. Any individual character or actions can taint the image of the whole contingent and your country in general,” the Police Chief said.

Rwanda maintains three Police contingents in CAR; two FPUs and a Protection Support Unit (PSU), each composed of 160 officers.