IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • COVID-19: Rwanda records 169 recoveries, 110 new cases

    The statement released last night also shows that 9 people are critically ill. New cases were found in Kigali: 21, Nyanza: 16, Gicumbi: 14, Nyamagabe: 9 and Nyaruguru: 9 among other districts.

    Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 20 412 people have been tested positive of whom 18 804 have recovered, 1326 are active cases while 282 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 317, 708 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda started countrywide inoculation program including 3693 people who received vaccine shots yesterday.

    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.

  • Who is Nyirarugero, the newly appointed Governor of Northern Province

    During an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Nyirarugero explained more about her life and how she welcomed the appointment.

    Nyirarugero is a mother of four who speaks with a warm heart mixing introducing Biblical verses in discussions. She is a Christian in the Anglican Church.

    Nyirarugero studied at Rungu Primary School located in Gacaca sector, Musanze district and later pursued secondary studies at Lycée Notre-Dame de Cîteaux in Kigali. She later graduated in Economics at INES-Ruhengeri.

    Nyirarugero pursued Master’s degree in Makerere, Uganda and later obtained Master’s degree in quality education related courses from Germany in 2019.

    The mother aged 54 has revealed that she was surprised for the appointment as he had never dreamt of holding senior leadership positions.

    “I surprised and delighted me to see the President of the Republic bestowing trust upon me and assigning me to the position,” she said.

    Nyirarugero used to have feelings that she could become the rector of a university once she obtains a Doctorate (PhD) because she served in the education sector since 2009.

    “Because I was passionate about education, I had a wish to obtain a PhD that I can be the rector of a particular university,” noted Nyirarugero.

    As you speak to her, it won’t take long to realize that Nyirarugero is always optimistic, self-less and courageous which helped her throughout her career in the education sector.

    “I am keen on working and have a feeling to attain great things. This gives me courage to work hard and collaborate with others to achieve goals,” she explained.

    Commenting on her new appointment, Nyirarugero thanked the President of the Republic and promised to work hard to deliver on promises.

    “First of all, I voice my appreciation to President Paul Kagame for bestowing trust upon me assigning me the Governor of Northern Province. I will work hard to deliver to the best of my ability in collaboration with residents of this Province,” said Nyirarugero.

    Since 2009, Nyirarugero has been working in the education sector. She started her career at INES-Ruhengeri and later worked at Muhabura Polytechnic where she was a lecturer and head of the department of Economics.

    She was born in Muhoza sector, Musanze district of Northern Province where she was raised.

    Nyirarugero Dancilla has been appointed the Governor of Northern Province.

  • U.S. Ambassador recognizes four Rwandan women of courage

    The women honored include: Donatilla Kanimba, Executive Director, Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB); Christine Mukeshimana, Founder, Help for Disabled and Vulnerable Children (HDVC); Agnes Mukashyaka, Founder, Izere Mubyeyi Center; Gaudence Mushimiyimana, Co-founder and Executive Director, Rwanda Organization of Women with Disabilities (UNABU).

    Since 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Kigali has helped recognize and celebrate Rwandan Women of Courage who are making a real difference in their communities.

    Sixteen (16) inspiring women have been honored to date for demonstrating exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for social justice and the most vulnerable members of society.

    The four Rwandan Women of Courage honored Thursday were all nominated to participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program study tour designed just for Rwanda, a three-week visit to trade best practices with Americans who are also involved and invested in the economic empowerment and social inclusion of persons with disabilities.

    In 2019, the awards were presented to three Rwandans including Ashimwe Christine, the founder of Rwanda Clot Awareness Network and Dative Nakabonye, the director and founder of “Family Circle Love Lab Organization” (FCLLO), a Rwandan NGO that offers compassion and innovation to vulnerable groups.

    Ambassador Vrooman Presenting 2019 Rwandan Women of Courage Awards. Photo Courtesy

  • Lucky winner walks away with Mahindra KUV 100 NXT car as Bank of Kigali’s ‘Mu Munyenga na Mastercard’ campaign concludes

    The prize handover took place on Monday 15th March 2021 in front of Bank of Kigali’s branch at CHIC in presence of the bank’s management and the public coming to witness how the bank walks the talk.

    Bank of Kigali launched ‘Mumunyenga na Mastercard’ on 14th December 2020 to promote cashless payments. The campaign ran until March 5th 2021.

    Throughout the campaign, all clients of BK who perform single transactions worth Rwf25,000 and above using their BK Mastercard debit or credit cards online or via Point of Sale (POS) were eligible to win different prizes.

    Since the beginning of the campaign, BK rewarded customers every week.

    The bank gave out 3 motorcycles, 10 laptops, 100 shopping vouchers worth Rwf 5 million and 60 cash backs worth Rwf 4.4 million and a Mahindra KUV 100 NXT car as the grand prize handed over to the winner yesterday.

    Speaking at the prize handover yesterday, the excited Gaga who has been performing transactions using BK MasterCard for one year, expressed delight for such a prize won for the first time.

    “I am extremely happy for the prize. It was my first time to enter a competition and first time to win. I have pulled several benefits from embracing digital transactions that I even place orders from abroad using the card without necessity for physical presence,” he said.

    Tharcissie Byukusenge, Card Centre Manager at the Bank of Kigali, revealed that the campaign attracted over 47,000 customers who made transactions worth Rwf1.9 billion.

    Among others, she said, the campaign saw the number of BK Mastercard users increasing tremendously from 30% to 62%.

    The CEO of bank of Kigali, Dr. Diane Karusisi encouraged people to use Mastercard for security of their money.

    “We encourage customers to perform transactions using BK Mastercard as they make payments from shops and elsewhere. It is a reliable and secured way for both the client and seller,” she said.

    Dr. Karusisi highlighted that Bank of Kigali seeks to take lead in driving cashless transactions.

    The prize handover took place on Monday 15th March 2021 in front of Bank of Kigali’s branch at CHIC.
    The CEO of BK , Dr. Diane Karusisi handing over the prize to the lucky winner, Gaga.
    Mahindra KUV 100 NXT car is the grand prize handed over to the winner yesterday.
    Tharcissie Byukusenge, Card Centre Manager at the Bank of Kigali, revealed that the campaign attracted over 47,000 customers who made transactions worth Rwf1.9 billion.

  • Kamonyi: Six held over illegal tree harvesting

    The group was cutting the trees planted under the government environmental protection programme, to make timber, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region.

    The spokesperson identified the suspects as Eric Mbabarenkoriki, 32, Frederick Hategekimana, 30, Cyliaque Bizimana, 31, and Mathieu Sebahire, 34.

    Others are Emmanuel Mbonabucya, 24, and one only identified as Jean Claude.

    At the time of their arrest, SP Kanamugire said, they were found with 279 timbers.

    “Residents of Ngoma Cell reported a group of six men, who were cutting trees planted along the road in the villages of Cyivugiza, Sebununga and Kabahazi, for timber, which they were selling. Police immediately intervened and arrested them with 279 timbers which they made out of the protected trees they were cutting on roadsides,” SP Kanamugire said.

    On Sunday alone, the group cut 20 trees, he added.

    Following their arrest, the group disclosed that they were contracted by two people whom they identified as Jean Pierre Niyonzima and Jean Eric Muyango, to cut the trees and make timber.

    The such for Niyonzima and Muyango is still underway.

    Southern region spokesperson strongly warned against such environmental crimes adding that such practices contribute to environmental degradation including soil erosion.

    The six people were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Mugina Police station.

    Article 44 of the law on environment, prohibits cutting trees in forests or protected areas like national parks or burning them.

    Article 59 of the same legal instrument stipulates that any person, who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.

    Upon conviction, the offender is liable to an imprisonment term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf3 million

    279 timbers which they made out of the protected trees.

  • COVID-19: Two more deaths, 116 new cases

    Among others, the countrywide vaccination program saw 56,566 people vaccinated yesterday bringing the total number to 314,015.

    The prevalence of new infections, recoveries and death toll currently stands at 4.1%, 91.7% and 1.4% respectively.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 20302 people have been infected of whom 18635 have recovered, 1385 are active cases, 282 have succumbed to the virus while 13 are critically ill.

    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 starts vaccination of peacekeepers

    The vaccination exercise started on Monday, March 15, with Rwandan Police, Military and Correctional contingents serving under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), who received their first shots.

    There are 445 Rwandan Police peacekeepers deployed in MINUSCA, who include three contingents; two Formed Police Units (FPUs) and a Protection Support Unit (PSU), each composed of 140 peacekeepers.

    Others serve as Individual Police Officers (IPOs).

    The vaccination exercise will also be rolled out later this week in other UN missions including South Sudan (UNMISS) and UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

    There are 590 Rwandan Police peacekeepers serving under UNMISS and UNSFA.

    Rwanda maintains 974 Police peacekeepers in various UN missions.

    All Photos: RNP

  • Gatabazi new Local Government minister, as Habyarimana heads to Trade and Industry

    President Paul Kagame also appointed Hakuziyaremye Soraya as the Vice Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) replacing Dr. Nsanzabaganwa Monique who was recently elected Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).

    The statement signed by Prime Minister, Dr. Ngirente Edouard was released last night.

    It also shows that President Kagame appointed new Governors where Kayitesi Alice remained the Governor of Southern Province, Gasana Emmanuel has been appointed the Governor of Eastern Province, Dancilla Nyirarugero became the Governor of Northern Province while François Habitegeko has been appointed the Governor of Western Province.

    Other officials saw their term office renewed. These include Yankurije Odette, the deputy Ombudsman in charge of preventing and fighting injustice and commissioner sin the National Commission for Human Rights.

    These include Makombe Jean Marie Vianney, Marie Sylvie Kawera and Aurelie Gahongayire.

    Gatabazi appointed the Minister of Local Government has been the Governor of Northern Province since 2017. He had previously served as a parliamentarian for 14 years.

    He replaces Prof. Shyaka Anastase who held the position since August 2018.

    Habyarimana Béata appointed the Minister of Trade and Industry has expertise in finance and economy. She replaces Soraya Hakuziyaremye appointed the Deputy Governor of BNR.

    Hakuziyaremye held office since 18th October 2018.

    Gasana Emmanuel appointed the Governor of Eastern Province had been relieved of his duties as the Governor of Southern Province on 25th May 2020.

    Gasana was appointed the Governor of Southern Province on 18th October 2018, nine years after serving as the Inspector General of Rwanda National Police (RNP). He was replacing Mureshyankwano Marie Rose.

    Among others, Habitegeko François appointed the Governor of Western Province has been the mayor of Nyaruguru district for ten years. He replaces Munyantwari Alphonse.

  • Inter-district movements resume, curfew hours reduced

    The cabinet held yesterday was chaired by President Paul Kagame.

    Among others, the cabinet set curfew hours to 9pm to resume movements at 4am while all businesses allowed to operate will close 8pm.

    Unlike previous virtual meetings, yesterday’s meeting was held face to face at Village Urugwiro.

    New measures are to take effect from 16th March 2021. It is the first cabinet held since Rwanda started COVID-19 inoculation program countrywide on 5th March 2021.

    Since then, 257 449 people have been vaccinated as the country targets to vaccinate 60% of Rwandans by June 2022.

    {{New measures countrywide}}

    a) Movements are prohibited between 9pm -4am. All businesses must close by 8pm.

    b) Movement between Kigali and other provinces and between districts of the country shall resume, except for Bugesera, Nyanza and Gisagara districts. Specific guidelines on the three districts will be provided by the Ministry of Local Government.

    c) Public transport, (buses), should not exceed 75% capacity. Bus operators will ensure passengers maintain social distancing and only passengers with masks will be allowed onboard.

    d) Physical meetings may resume not exceeding 30% of venue capacity. COVID-19 testing is required for meetings of more than 20 people.

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

    f) Private businesses will continue with essential staff at no more than 30% capacity while other employees continue working from home on a rotational basis. Markets and Malls will continue for essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders. All businesses must close by 8pm.

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

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

    i) All bars will remain closed

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

    k) 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.

    l) 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.

    m) Individual and non-contact outdoor sports activities are permitted. The Ministry of Sports will provide detailed guidelines.

    n) Gyms and recreational centers will remain closed. All swimming pools and spas are closed except for those at hotels hosting tested guests.

    o) Attendance at a wake/ vigil (ikiriyo) should not exceed 10 persons at any one time. Funeral gatherings should not exceed 20 persons.

    p) 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.

    q) Gaming activities remain prohibited

    The cabinet meeting reminded citizens to comply with health measures including physical distancing, wearing face masks and hand hygiene that penalties will be applied for non-compliance.

  • Rwanda FDA recalls adulterated honey

    The statement banning the products has been signed by the director General of Rwanda FDA, Dr. Charles Karangwa.

    The decision to ban the product was taken following FDA inspection conducted in response to customer complaints on the poor quality of HONEY HIVE available on the market.

    “Further reference is made to the quality control laboratory results of honey hive that confirmed adulteration of the natural honey as well as the manufacturer who attested the use and addition of sugar in the product. Therefore, the Rwanda FDA recalls from the market the Honey products with the following description: HONEY HIVE, Nyungwe Forest, Natural Honey 100%; claims of : Best to use for Diabetic, Grip, Pregant, Stomached, Appetite and others,” reads part of the statement.

    Rwanda FDA has requested distributors, supermarkets and retail shops to stop distribution and sale of HONEY FIVE and return all quantities to the suppliers within 10 working days.

    “The manufacturer of HONEY HIVE is requested to receive all quantities of returned by his clients and submit a detailed report (including the names, contacts and quantities returned) to Rwanda FDA,” reads the statement.

    “The public is requested to stop buying and consuming the recalled HONEY HIVE,” adds the statement.

    Among others, manufacturers of packaged honey to register their manufacturing premises and products at Rwanda FDA.

    Rwanda FDA has reminded warned manufacturers packaging and selling adulterated honey that whoever caught violating restrictions will be sanctioned.