It is the first time Coronavirus kills a younger person aged 13 since the pandemic emerged in Rwanda last year.
The statement released last night also shows that 79 people have caught the virus, 96 recovered, 5179 were vaccinated yesterday bringing the total number to 343, 723 since Rwanda began countrywide vaccination on 5th March 2021 while one patient is critically ill.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 20975 people have been tested positive out of 1,095,173 sample tests of whom 19310 have recovered, 1370 are active cases while 295 have succumbed to the virus.
Figures show that the prevalence of new infections, recoveries and death toll stands at 1.6%, 92% and 1.4% respectively.
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.
He revealed this yesterday during a handover ceremony between the Governor of Eastern Province, Mufulukye Fred and his successor, Emmanuel Gasana.
Minister Gatabazi reminisced on values that should characterize a good leader and urged grass root leaders to deliver on efficiency and avoid poor service delivery.
“We claim this theoretically but found different reality whereby different leaders are not at offices. It is difficult to find leaders to sign documents nowadays. The more services are being decentralized, leadership is gradually being passed over to grass root leaders we do not remember to monitor to see how they serve citizens,” he said.
Gatabazi explained that residents seeking to register children, health services, documents or others seeking construction permit or intending to start businesses are maltreated to the extent that some of them are required to offer bribery.
“As leaders, we consider it small bribes but it is apparently huge to citizens. Don’t take it lightly. If you can earn Rwf 10,000 easily, remember that there are citizens who can spend a month without Rwf 500. By soliciting their money, you are disappointing citizens,” he said.
Gatabazi highlighted that he will follow up the matter and engage relevant authorities to dig deeper into the question that security officials will intervene where necessary to hold culprits accountable.
“Some service seekers are told that the newt work is failing among others. Why such minor issues are not told leaders seeking services? When we seek services, we get them fast because we are mayors, Governors but there are citizens who woke up early around 5am and stay until 12 noon without being attended to,” he noted.
Gatabazi reminded local leaders to always stick to offering good services to citizens with all their efforts.
He also requested the new Governor of Eastern province, Gasana Emmanuel to strive for changes aimed at transforming citizens’ livelihoods.
His burial was preceded by a requiem mass held at Kabgayi Cathedral.
Father Ndekwe breathed the last on Thursday 18th March 2021 at the age of 96 succumbing to natural cause.
Ndekwe was among longest serving priests. He was ordained priest in 1956. Father Ndekwe has been a priest for 65 years and was the 120th Rwandan to be ordained priest since evangelization came to Rwanda in 1917.
The requiem mass was led by the Archbishop of Kigali Diocese, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda along with other Catholic Church Bishops including Vincent Harorimana of Ruhengeri Diocese, Smaragde Mbonyintege of Kabgayi, Philippe Rukamba of Butare Diocese and Anaclet Mwumvaneza of Nyundo Diocese.
It was also attended by other clerics including nuns and priests as well as relatives, friends and former students of late Father Ndekwe including former Prime Minister and Senate Chairperson, Bernard Makuza.
Mourners described late Father Ndekwe as a courageous and honest person who always lived by moral virtues that characterized him during his service as a priest for 65 years.
The Bishop of Kabgayi Diocese, Mbonyintege said that the church loses a devoted Christian who easily mixed in the society and helped everyone seeking his support or advice.
“We are gathered here for the loss of our colleague. The church loses a righteous priest who served God, lived in harmony with the society and outstandingly remained devoted to his calling. He dedicated time to hear everyone seeking support, and gave them essential life tips that no one returned bare hands,” he said.
Kagaba Appolinaire, the brother to later Father Ndekwe who also represented his family described Ndekwe as a person who remained faithful to God and expressed hope that he has gone to God’s safe hands.
“We have no doubt that his soul has gone to Heaven. He smoothly carried out his duties as a priest that his calling has been a gateway for many to know God,” he noted.
Bishop Philip Rukamba, the Bishop of Butare Diocese and the President of the Catholic Episcopal Conference said that the church loses a pivotal and honest priest.
“Broadband usage has exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as life has increasingly migrated online, the contrast between the digital haves and have-nots is even more blatant. This is particularly true for education. With physical classrooms closed, many students have been unable to join virtual classrooms. Some learners have missed an entire year of schooling,” he said.
“At the same time, as children spend more time online, we must redouble efforts to ensure they are kept safe. That is why the Broadband Commission’s Covid-19 Agenda for Action focuses on three points: Resilient connectivity, affordable access, and online safety,” added Kagame.
Despite unprecedented effects caused by the pandemic, the President observed that the situation is promising considering the fact the world has started rolling out vaccines.
“With the deployment of vaccines in many countries, the end of the Covid-19 pandemic is in sight. But the road is still long, particularly in developing economies. Now is the time to forge new partnerships for universal broadband and scale up the investments required to ensure digital equity,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay; Houlin Zhao, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Carlos Slim Helu, the CEO of Telemax.
This year’s meeting revolved around the melding of network and computing services that is clearly demonstrated by the increasing softwarization of the network services in the core and the access networks, the rise of computing in the network and the growth of cognition in networking for management and control as well as for value added services at the edge and in the data center.
The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (until 2015: Digital Development) was established in May 2010 as a joint initiative by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote Internet access, in particular, broadband networks in order to help achieve United Nations development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (until 2015).
The Commission was renamed the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, following the adoption of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in September 2015.
Turabayo was arrested in Kiziguro Sector, Rubona Cell in Kigabiro Village with two counterfeit notes of Rwf5,000.
The Eastern region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizerimana said the arrest of Turabayo followed a tip-off from some victims.
“Recently, Turabayo bought goods at a local shop using a fake note of Rwf5,000, he immediately left after getting his balance of genuine notes. The shop attendant realized later that the note was fake but Turabayo had already escaped,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
On Sunday March 21, Turabayo resarfaced again at the same shop.
“This time, he came back with two notes of Rwf5,000 to buy goods. Good enough, shop attendants recognized him, they immediately called the Police. Upon his arrest, it was realized that even the two notes he had were also counterfeit,” the spokesperson explained.
Investigations indicate that Turabayo had already circulated over Rwf400,000, all fake in various shops in the area.
“He was buying cheaper goods in various shops to get balance of genuine notes, calling it ‘cleaning money’”, CIP Twizeyimana said.
Turabayo was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in Kiramiruzi for further legal process.
Article 269 of the law relating to 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.”
The statement released last night shows that 68 people have caught the virus out of 3484 sample tests, 34 recovered while one is critically ill.
Among others, 4006 people were vaccinated yesterday bringing the total number to 338,544 since Rwanda began countrywide vaccination [program on 5th March 2021.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 20896 people have been tested positive out of 1,090,412 sample tests of whom 19214 have recovered, 1390 are active cases while 292 have succumbed to the virus.
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.
World Tuberculosis Day is observed on 24th March each year with the aim of spreading public awareness about the global epidemic of Tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.
In light with the celebration of World Tuberculosis Day and sensitizing the public on testing for TB, Mico The Best has organized a concert that will also feature performances by renowned rapper, Riderman.
Anita Pendo, an entertainment figure working with RBA will be the master of ceremony.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the concert will go live on social media platforms including his Youtube channel.
The concert will begin 7pm.
Claude Uhujimfura, the Manager of KIKAC music label has told IGIHE that the concert was organized in collaboration with relevant institutions including the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedica Center among other key players in the fight against Tuberculosis.
Mico the Best officially joined anti-Tuberculosis awareness campaign in January 2020.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.
About one-quarter of the world’s population has a TB infection, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit it.
People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB.
Those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a higher risk of falling ill.
When a person develops active TB disease, the symptoms (such as cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss) may be mild for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care, and results in transmission of the bacteria to others. People with active TB can infect 5–15 other people through close contact over the course of a year.
Without proper treatment, WHO says, 45% of HIV-negative people with TB on average and nearly all HIV-positive people with TB will die.
The activity began on Saturday in Mageragere sector where DASSO members began the construction of a three-room house through a community work.
DASSO members explained that it is part of annual activities to help vulnerable residents improve livelihoods.
Speaking to IGIHE, Mukampogazi Jacqueline expressed delight for the kind gesture
“I am very excited because I was previously living with my cow. I was living in old and destroyed structures that it used to rain on me inside the house. I have been leading hard life with my children and grand-children,” she said.
She commended DASSO members for the kind act highlighting that it gives relief for better life.
The executive secretary of Mageragere sector, Ntirushwa Christophe explained that they plan to build more houses under similar program.
“We have decided to collaborate with DASSO members to provide her with a decent shelter. So far, we have built 16 houses for vulnerable residents under similar program and plan to build more 24 houses,” he said.
The head of DASSO members in Nyarugenge district, Ndirima Patrick explained that they organize similar activities annually to support Government’s performance contracts.
“This house will be completed at a cost of Rwf 2.5 million. We will later build a cow shed for her because she used to live with her cow in the same shelter. We organize community support activities every year to support Government achieve performance contracts like subscribing vulnerable residents for Mutuelle de Santé or giving them cows,” he said.
Ndirima revealed that the house will also be installed with furniture.
Dr. John Pombe Magufuli died at the age of 61 on Wednesday 17th March 2021. It was reported that he succumbed to heart complications.
Previously, Dar es Salaam residents were allowed to say their final goodbyes to the president on Saturday and Sunday at Uhuru Stadium.
Today’s ceremony was also attended by other dignitaries including the Presdient of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa; DRC President, Félix Tshisekedi; The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta; Zambia’s President, Edgar Lungu; the President of Namibia, Hage Gottfried Geingob and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
As he addressed gathered mourners, Premier Ngirente expressed condolences to Tanzanians highlighting that Magufuli’s legacy will be remembered.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame; On behalf of the Government of Rwanda; I would like to extend our sincere condolences, and deepest sympathy to the People and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the loss of the patriotic leader, His Excellence , Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli,” he said.
“The Government of Rwanda has had a privilege of working closely with His Excellency Magufuli not only as an East African community integration champion but also as a great contributor strengthening Rwanda, Tanzania bilateral relations. His Legacy, will always be remembered, “added Ngirente.
Since Magufuli took office in 2015, Rwanda, Tanzania relations revitalized following tensions that had mired both countries relationship during the leadership of former President Jakaya Kikwete.
Magufuli was a close friend to Rwanda. After election in 2015, Magufuli made his first foreign trip to Rwanda in 2016.
Following his demise, President Kagame on 18th March 2021 condoled with Tanzanians and eulogized Magufuli as a brother, and panafrican who strived for great things in Tanzania and the region.
“We are saddened by the loss of my brother and friend, President Magufuli. His contribution to his country & to our region will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Tanzania. The people of Rwanda stand with Tanzania during this difficult time,” he said via Twitter handle.
John Pombe Magufuli died few months after re-election for the second term.
After the State Funeral, Magufuli is expected to be buried at his native land in Chato.
Magufuli was born on 29th October 1959.
Shule ERP is a program developed by Loxotech, a company providing digital solutions in Rwanda.
The program is used by nursery schools, primary and secondary schools and universities to enhance teaching, streamline finance management and follow up students’ discipline.
It also helps parents to follow up students’ performance while at school, helps students to revise studies made available on the portal or attend online classes using the portal anytime.
Among others, the technology helps in finance management, facilitating easy monitoring of students who have already paid fees. Students can pay using Mastercard or Visa Card without necessity to queue at banks.
Through its annual initiative dubbed ‘Innovating Education in Africa Expo’ aimed at recognizing outstanding projects promoting innovation in the education sector.
Through its program dubbed ‘Innovating Education in Africa Expo’ aimed at recognizing outstanding projects promoting innovation in the education sector, AU selected Shule ERP among 50 best digital solutions.
The Innovating Education in Africa Expo was launched in 2018. This year’s edition focused on innovators below the age of 35.
Speaking to IGIHE, the CEO of Loxotech, Olivier Nshizirungu said they were selected among 50 best digital solutions in Africa out of 300 contestants.
“We entered the contest in August 2020 that attracted the participation of 300 digital solutions providers from different African countries. Lucky enough, we emerged among 50 outstanding projects,” she said.
Nshizirungu explained that the idea behind the portal was to provide affordable digital solution facilitating education.
“We decided to develop the digital solution to address challenges of existing costly solutions restricting users in one way or another,” he said.
The developed program also helps students to attend examinations without necessarily being present physically.
The program developed by Rwandans has so far been rolled out to other African countries including Guinea, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
