IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • COVID-19: Heeding prevention guidelines presents enormous wins

    The call was made on Tuesday, March 30, which brought together ministers; Dr. Daniel Ngamije of Health, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi of Local Government, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya of Education and Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera.

    {{New directives}}

    Under the new nationwide directives, movements are prohibited between 9pm-4am, all businesses must close by 8pm; public offices will continue with essential staff with no more than 30% capacity while other employees continue working from home on rotational basis.

    Private businesses will continue with essential staff at no more than 30% capacity while markets and malls will continue with essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders.

    Movements between Kigali and provinces and between districts of the country are permitted but movement are prohibited between 7pm to 4am in the Southern districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, Huye, Gisagara, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe.

    Public transport (buses) should not exceed 50% capacity. The bus operators will ensure passengers maintain social distancing and only passengers with masks will be allowed on board.

    Motos and bicycles are permitted to carry passengers but must observe strict hygiene; physical meetings will resume but should not exceed 30% of venue capacity. In case the meeting participants exceed 20 people, COVID-19 testing will be required.

    All bars remain closed, gyms, recreational centers and gaming activities are still prohibited. And all swimming pools and spas are closed except for those at hotels hosting guests.

    Places of worship will resume with no more than 30% maximum occupancy; attendance at vigil must not exceed 10 persons at any one time; funeral gatherings should not exceed 20 persons; civil and religious weddings will continue but should not exceed 20 persons and must comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Receptions are prohibited.

    Restaurants and café remain open with 30% occupancy limit and can receive clients until 8pm.

    Tourism activity will continue in strict adherence with COVID-19 health guidelines.

    This includes hotels, tour operators and transport services facilitating guests.

    Tourists and services providers shall inform Rwanda Development Board (RDB) of their itineraries.

    Individual and non-contact outdoor sport activities are permitted.

    The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said compliance is key to containing the spread of the virus.

    “The past year fighting the pandemic should be a lesson to everyone; the prevention measures against COVID-19 will continue to be observed until at least 60 percent of the population are vaccinated,” Dr. Ngamije said.

    CP Kabera appreciated those, who continue to be exemplary in compliance with the directives as well as varied partners including local government entities and community policing groups for the partnership in awareness and enforcement.

    “When directives are tightened people complain and when they are eased people disregard them and indulge in actions that can potentially spread the virus; this will not be tolerated,” CP Kabera said.

    He added: “We have seen people organizing house parties, birthdays and bridal showers; for instance, early this morning we paraded to the media 39 people for hosting a house party. There are those who violate the directives claiming that they were vaccinated and those who organize weddings with people above the maximum number.”

    Over the past two weeks, over 74,650 pedestrians were arrested across the country for violating varied directives.

    Also, 816 vehicles, 570 motos and 136 bicycles were impounded during the same period.

    At least 355 bars were found operating, 2066 people caught drinking while four hotels and 60 restaurants were closed for flouting the directives.

    CP Kabera reminded the public to adhere to the prevention guidelines rather than being forced.

  • MTN Rwanda organizes competition for women’s saving groups

    The competition launched last year is taking place for the second time. The previous edition attracted 15 women groups.

    A total of 12 best groups were awarded and started registering economic growth.

    For instance, the group based in Rwamagana district called ‘Twite ku Buzima’, which emerged the best in agriculture category walked away with Rwf 1 million. It has expanded activities, bought gardens and invested in other projects like decorations and clothing brides at weddings among others.

    MTN Rwanda organizes the competition to foster women’s growth and unleash fears to venture into income generating activities.

    This year’s edition attracted 15 women groups , some of which have technology related projects.

    MTN Rwanda will reward three first groups in each category whereby the 3rd, 2nd and 1st groups will respectively receive Rwf 400,000, Rwf 700,000 and Rwf 1 million.

    Groups that won’t emerge among winners will also receive Rwf 200,000 incentives.

    MTN Rwanda, Mitwa Ng’ambi has also set a special reward for the outstanding group which will receive Rwf 2 million.

    Speaking to IGIHE, Yvonne Mubiligi, Head of Corporate Affairs at MTN Rwanda has revealed that the competition aims at commending and consolidating women’s achievements in lending and saving groups.

    Mubiligi thanked partners including AEE church, National Women Council and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF).

    Albert Mabasi from AEE has thanked MTN Rwanda for contribution in women’s development.

    The representative of the executive secretary of National Women Council, Uwamahoro Marguerite Marie also thanked MTN Rwanda for supporting women through the competition which empowered them to increase capital.

  • I&M Bank nets Rwf 5.1 billion in 2020

    The profit was driven by maintained good service delivery and investment in digital channels.

    The bank registered a pre-tax profit of Rwf7.8 billion with the loan book portfolio growing by 19 per cent Year on Year to Rwf205 billion in December 2020.

    The bank’s assets closed at Rwf417 billion with shareholders’ funds of Rwf54 billion, a 31 % growth and 27 per cent growth respectively. Deposits also increased significantly, reinforcing the strength of the bank’s funding and liquidity positions.

    Commenting on the development; the CEO of I&M Bank Robin Bairstow said: “While the pandemic brought up several headwinds, the Bank’s results are satisfactory and evidence that our considerable efforts to focus on strengthening our core business and bolstering of our digital capabilities will continue to pay off over the longer term.”

    “Helping our customers emerge in a sustainable position was our most pressing priority. We put in place a comprehensive support scheme for individuals and businesses including interest rate reductions, online charges waivers and loan extension facilities,” he added.

    The CEO of I&M Bank, Robin Bairstow.

  • Kagame advises international community on citizen-centered debt relief negotiations

    Kagame made the recommendation yesterday as he attended the high-level meeting of Heads of State and Government on the international debt architecture and liquidity.

    The meeting was jointly convened by the Secretary-General of United Nations, António Guterres, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness.

    It revolved around seeking together how developing countries can recover from COVID-19 effects through reducing and restructuring debts.

    Kagame highlighted that the way global economy is structured doesn’t present equal opportunities to poor countries, especially during COVID-19 pandemic as they have to only alternative to borrow from creditors. On the other hand, rich countries do not depend on debts to recovery their economy but rather finance their own recovery through quantitative easing.

    Quantitative easing (QE) is a form of unconventional monetary policy in which a central bank purchases longer-term securities from the open market in order to increase the money supply and encourage lending and investment.

    Kagame explained that it creates inequalities that affect poor countries.

    “Some countries can finance their own recovery through quantitative easing. The rest must borrow from private or public creditors, much as individuals do. Without corrective action, this divergence will entrench a profoundly unequal global order, in which the poor have no chance of ever catching up with the prosperous,” he said.

    In order to lessen debt burdens, Kagame stressed the need for extending the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and issuance of Special Drawing Rights (channeled through the International Monetary Fund) to enhance liquidity.

    He also emphasized the need for debt relief negotiations considering citizens’ welfare and development objectives for developing countries.

    “Third, debt relief negotiations should be conducted with the welfare of citizens in mind, and with a long-term view of development objectives, including the SDGs. Modernising the international debt architecture should not be seen, as merely a Covid emergency measure. It is a long-overdue discussion that goes to the heart of the inequalities that continue to bedevil our world. Finding innovative solutions to this dilemma should rightly be a central preoccupation of the international community in the immediate future,” he said.

    President Paul Kagame has advised international community on citizen-centered debt relief negotiations. Photo Village Urugwiro

  • Nyanza: Two cell executive secretaries resign after violating Covid-19 preventive measures

    These include Kamanayo Jean Damascène of Mututu cell in Kibirizi sector and Uwimana Theoneste of Gahunga cell in Nyagisozi sector.

    Both executive secretaries submitted their resignation letters to the mayor of Nyanza district yesterday citing incompetence reasons.

    The mayor of Nyanza district, Ntazinda Erasme has told IGIHE that the two leaders resigned after they were caught in bars violating COVID-19 preventive measures. One of them is also accused of assaulting a resident.

    “Firstly, they were all caught in bars violating COVID-19 preventive measures. Secondly, the executive secretary of Gahunga cell is also accused of beating a resident. Rwanda Investigation Bureau [RIB] is investigating his case,” he said.

    Ntazinda explained that the next move is to seek new executive secretaries following their resignations.

    He appealed on residents to respect instituted Covid-19 health guidelines and avoid complacency.

    The current view of Nyanza town.

  • UNMISS: Rwanda deploys second batch of Police peacekeepers

    The second batch of the FPU-1 contingent of 240 officers was deployed following the first cohort also of 80 officers deployed early this month.

    The second cohort was led by CSP Faustin Kalimba, the contingent commander, for a one year tour-of-duty.

    Commissioner of Police (CP) Denis Basabose, Commissioner for Counter-terrorism saluted them off at Kigali International Airport on Monday morning.

    Before their departure, they had spent 14 days in quarantine, all tested negative for Covid-19 and vaccinated.

    Meanwhile, later in the afternoon, CP Basabose also received a similar number of the replaced officers led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Gilbert Ryumugabe.

    It is also the second cohort to be replaced under the rotation exercise.

    The rotation in batches is part of the COVID-19 prevention measures, where they are also required to first undergo quarantine in South Sudan before starting their peacekeeping duties in Malakal, Upper Nile state.

    CP Basabose, who represented RNP leadership, thanked the replaced officers for their professionalism and discipline during the tour-of-duty.

    Their spirit, he added, maintained the good image of RNP and the country in general.
    “Welcome back home… the RNP leadership commends yours service and for representing your country ably,” CP Basabose told the officers.

    The new arrivals will also be tested for COVID-19 and quarantined.

    Rwanda FPU mission in Malakal is mostly charged with the protection of civilians in internally displaced camps, UN personnel, security of key installations and humanitarian assistance, among others.

    Prior to the deployment of FPU1-VI, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza urged them to be defined by their “professionalism, discipline, teamwork, integrity, values and alertness and the momentum to maintain and protect the image and reputation of their country.”

    The rotation will be conducted in three phases as a deliberate effort to abide by the recommended health guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The second cohort was led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Faustin Kalimba.

  • Rwanda records four more COVID-19 deaths

    The statement released last night shows that 71 people have caught the virus, 75 recovered, while 13 are critically ill.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 21490 people have been tested positive of whom 19860 recovered, 1325 are active cases while 305 have succumbed to the pandemic.

    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.

  • Bugesera, Nyanza, Gisagara movements allowed

    Unlike other districts where curfew hours are set from 9pm to 4am, movements are restricted from 7pm to 4am in the respective districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, Gisagara, Huye, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe.

    The decisions released today will go into effect on 30th March 2021.

    Among others, all businesses allowed to operate will close 8pm in other districts. Public transport buses shall operate at 50% capacity.

    {{Other measures}}

    Public offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 30% capacity while other employees continue working from home on a rotational basis.

    Private businesses will continue with essential staff at no more than 30% capacity while other employees continue working from home on a rotational basis.

    Motos and bicycles are permitted to carry passengers and must observe strict hygiene.

    Restaurants and cafés will remain open with a 30% occupancy limit and shall receive clients until 8pm.

    All bars will remain closed.

    Places of worship will resume with no more than 30% maximum occupancy.

    Arriving and departing passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure and should comply with health guidelines.

    Tourism activity will continue is strict adherence to COVID-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators, and transport services facilitating guests. Tourists and service providers shall inform RDB of itineraries.

    Individual and non-contact outdoor sports activities are permitted.

    Gyms and recreational centers will remain closed.

    Attendance at a wake/ vigil (ikiriyo) should not exceed 10 persons at any one time.

    Funeral gatherings should not exceed 20 persons.

    Civil and religious weddings will continue, but should not exceed 20 persons and must comply with all COVID-19 preventive measures. Receptions are not permitted.
    Gaming activities remain prohibited.

    These measures will be reviewed after two weeks upon health assessment.

  • Three more honey products recalled from Rwanda’s market

    A statement released on 27th March 2021 signed by the Acting Director General of Rwanda FDA, Dr Karangwa Charles explains that laboratory tests of the said honey products shows that they are adulterated.

    “And the previous inspections Rwanda FDA conducted in response to customer complaints on poor quality of honey available on the market; further reference is made to the quality control laboratory results of BEST HONEY, HONEY-POWER OF NATURE and MIEL DE NYUNGWE which confirmed adulteration of natural honey and the manufacturers were not found; Therefore, Rwanda FDA recalls from the market the Honey products called BEST HONEY, HONEY POWER OF NATURE and MIEL de NYUNGWE,” reads the statement in part.

    Rwanda FDA has requested all distributors, supermarkets and all retail shops to stop distribution and sale of the aforementioned honey products and inform Rwanda FDA about the manufacturers and return all quantities to the suppliers within 10 working days.

    Suppliers of recalled honey products have been also requested to receive all quantities returned by their clients and submit detailed report including (names, contacts and quantities returned) to Rwanda FDA.

    Rwanda FDA has urged the public to stop buying and consuming the recalled honey products.

    Recently, Rwanda FDA also recalled another honey product called ‘HONEY HIVE’ on grounds of poor quality.

  • Rotary Club donates mattresses, school kits to 1500 children

    Beneficiaries are from Ngoma, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts in Eastern Province. These equipment were donated on funding of Canada based organization dubbed ‘Sleeping children around the world’.

    The donation exercise was completed on Sunday 28th March 2021 in Rwamagana district attended by USA ambassador in Rwanda, Peter Vrooman who is also a member of Rotary Club.

    Every learner received a mattress, wash basins, bed sheets, notebooks, shows, school uniforms, face masks and underwear for girls.

    Jennifer Ingabire, former president of Rotary Club Kigali Virunga, while she heading the Club, a Canadian organisation named Sleeping Children Around the World asked them to work with them as overseas volunteering partner in the distribution of the materials to children though it was delayed by Covid-19 pandemic.

    “The organization believes that a child who sleeps well grows properly and, studies well. That is why we have donated mattresses and school kits,” she said.

    Ingabire said that the donations were distributed to 300 students in every beneficiary district half of whom are girls.

    The mayor of Rwamagana district, Mbonyumuvunyi Radjab thanked the Government of Rwanda for good collaboration with partners including Rotary Club highlighting that the support targeted beneficiaries who couldn’t even get decent shelter without the district’s intervention.

    “Most of these beneficiaries are people whom we helped to get shelter and needed mattresses. When a child eats and sleeps well performs better at school. We thank donors for the great gesture supporting children as they gold the future of our country,” he said.

    Residents of children who received donations expressed optimism for good performance.

    “My child has been sleeping on banana leaves. From today, my child will sleep in a comfortable bed. I thank donors and the Government for thinking about us,” said Mukagasana Christine, a resident of Karutimbo village, Cyanya cell, Kigabiro sector.

    Nyiransabimana Martha, residing in Isangano village, Binunga cell, Munyiginya sector said she would hardly get school kits for her children.

    “I would not provide all necessary school kits to my child but he will look smart like colleagues and hopefully perform well because it is hard to concentrate on studies when a child has problems,” she explained.

    Musabyimana Ange, a learner from Primary 6, said receiving the mattress and school items gives her courage to study well and demonstrate good performance during national examinations.

    Rotary Club has been involved in different charitable activities like support to vulnerable residents, building public library in Kigali and accommodation facilities for cancer patients at Kanombe among other activities.

    Rotary Club Virunga Kigali is comprised of 32 members. It is part of five clubs across the country.