The deceased include 71-year old man from Nyamagabe and 47-year old man from Muhanga district.
The statement released last night shows that the majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 22, Kamonyi;6, Nyamagabe:5 while 14 districts recorded zero case.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 17 988 people have been tested positive out 973 922 sample tests of whom 16 597 have recovered, 1144 are active cases while 247 have succumbed to the virus.
The prevalence of new infections, recoveries and death toll stands at 1.3%, 92.2% and 1.3% 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.
Sun damage is the leading cause of skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 9500 people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
Exposure to UV radiation during the winter months puts you at the same risk as it would during the summers. Therefore, you should never skip sunscreen no matter what.
If that’s not good enough to convince you, we have listed 5 amazing benefits of wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Let’s dive right in.
{{Sun Protection}}
Well, the most obvious reason to put on sunscreen is to protect yourself from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Ozone layer depletion has put us at a higher risk of getting affected by the sun rays. That doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the sun. A broad-spectrum sunscreen can help. It blocks those harmful rays and prevents skin damage. Make sure to invest in sunscreen with an SPF level of 30 or higher.
{{Helps with Melasma}}
If you are dealing with melasma, sun exposure can make things worse for you. UV rays affect the skin cells called melanocytes. These cells produce a pigment called melanin. Exposure to UV rays triggers the production of melanin and this, in turn, leads to melasma. There are several sunscreens for melasma out there in the market. You can pick one for you and prevent the situation from exacerbating.
{{Prevents Premature Aging}}
No one wants to look older than their years. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and whatnot. Also, your skin loses elasticity as a result. The UV exposure is responsible for 80% of visible signs of aging. Also, people aged 55 or less who regularly use sunscreen have a 24% lesser chance of developing fine lines and wrinkles. If you want a youthful appearance when you’re old, make sunscreen your new best friend.
{{Lowers the Risk of Cancer}}
Melanoma is a deadly skin cancer that develops from melanocytes. The number one risk factor is prolonged sun exposure. An SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of the UV rays and reduces the risk of developing skin cancer to a great extent. Be sure to put on sunscreen even on a cloudy day. 80% of the UV rays pierce through the clouds.
{{Evens Your Skin Tone}}
Do you have dark patches on your skin? Sun may be the culprit. Skin discoloration is quite often the result of sun exposure. Sunscreen can help you achieve an even skin tone by getting rid of dark patches and pigmented skin. It also protects collagen and can help make your skin firm and tight. On top of that, your skin feels healthy and rejuvenated.
{{Good for Dry Skin}}
Sun exposure can dry out your skin. It can make your skin cracked or patchy. Thankfully, you can avoid this by wearing sunscreen every day. Additionally, if your skin is sensitive to the sun, sunblock is exactly what you need. It can prevent skin irritation, redness, blotchiness, and whatnot. Some sunblocks come with moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, etc. Not only do they protect from the sun, but they also add hydration, lock moisture, and improve overall skin health.
If you’re someone who does not wear SPF during winters, it’s about time you bought yourself a decent broad-spectrum sunblock. Trust us, you will thank yourself later.
Kagame met with Gianni Infantino yesterday evening as reveals the Twitter handle of Presidency Office.
Gianni Infantino gifted Kagame a soccer ball, and jersey carrying hi names.
The Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju was also present as Kagame met with Ifantino.
Before meeting with President Kagame, Infantino was joined by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta and Sports Minister to inaugurate FIFA Regional Development Office in Rwanda.
The office is headquartered in Nyarugenge district, Kigali city in the building of I&M Bank.
The Regional Development Office will oversee football activities in Eastern Africa countries.
Similar offices are headquartered in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa and another one in Ethiopia which has been moved to Rwanda.
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has revealed that setting up the office in Kigali is inspired by Rwanda’s ambitions to promote football and other development projects and expressed optimism that the office will help regional countries.
These include Dr. Bernard Bahati appointed Director General of National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA). He has been a lecturer at the University of Rwanda.
The institution was created recently and published in the Official Gazette in October 2020.
NESA is mandated to promote quality education in primary schools and vocational training schools (TVET) offering short or long term training packages.
Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana has been appointed the Director General of Rwanda Basic Education Board which took some duties of former Rwanda education Board ((REB).
Dr Mbarushimana is an expert in curriculum development with over 17 years of experience in education sector.
The cabinet meeting also appointed Dr. Sylvie Mucyo as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Training, Institutional Development and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic.
Dr. Mucyo has previously served as the Deputy Programme Coordinator at the University of Rwanda. She is a board member of Rwanda Meteorology Agency.
Among others, Dominique Ingabire has been appointed the Principal of IPRC Karongi.
{{Other appointments: }}
{{Ministry of Education (MINEDUC)}}
Pascal Gatanazi, Chief Technical Advisor
Christophe Nsengiyaremye, Director General of Sector Planning , Monitoring and Evaluation
Rose Baguma, Director General of Policy and Analysis
Jimmy Christian Bukusenge, Director General of Corporate Services
Eric Niyongabo, Advisor to the Minister of State in charge of TVET
{{National Examination and School Inspection Authority:}}
Vianney Augustine Kavutse, Head of Department of Basic Education and TVET Quality Assurance
Dr. Alphonse Sebaganwa, Head of Department of Basic Education and TVET Examination
Angelique Boneza, Division Manager of Basic Education and TVET Quality Standards
{{Rwanda Basic Education Board:}}
Leon Mugenzi Ntawukuriryayo, Head of Teacher Development, Management, Career Guidance and Counselling Department
{{Rwanda Polytechnic:}}
Dr. Aimable Nsabimana, Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration and Finance
{{Rwanda Technical and Vocational Education and Training Board:}}
Solange Uwamahoro, Head of Training Management Department
Aimable Rwamasirabo, Head of Curriculum and Instructional Materials Development Department
{{IPRC Karongi:}}
Leonard Manirambona, Deputy Principal in Charge of Academics and Training
The cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame was held virtually.
Curfew hours have been eased back where movements have been prohibited from 8pm to 4am against the previous measures restricting movements from 7pm to 4am.
Hours to close business operations have shifted from 5pm to 6pm.
The cabinet meeting has also allowed all schools (public and private to reopen).
Schools in Kigali city were closed on 18th January 2021.
Religious, civil weddings have been allowed and must not exceed 20 persons. Receptions are also prohibited.
Movements between Kigali, other provinces and districts are still prohibited except for essential services, medical reasons or tourism.
Among others, private businesses shall continue to operate at no more than 30% of staff capacity while other employees continue working from home on rotational basis. Markets and malls shall continue for essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders.
Public transport (buses) should not exceed 75% capacity. Motorcycles and bicycles are also allowed to carry passengers and must observe strict hygiene.
Restaurants and cafés shall resume with 30% occupancy limit and shall receive clients until 6pm. All bars will remain closed while places of worship will resume with no more than 30% maximum occupancy.
Gaming activities and physical meetings remain prohibited while individual and non-contact outdoor sports activities are permitted.
Attendance at a wake/vigil (ikiriyo) should not exceed 10 persons at any time, funeral gatherings should not exceed 20 persons.
These measures will take effect nationwide starting February 23rd to March 15th 2021.
Lt Gen Musemakweli passed on 11th February 2021, at Kanombe Military Hospital where he was getting treatment. He died at the age of 59.
The ceremony to bid last farewell took place yesterday observing COVID-19 preventive measures. It was attended by various people including relatives, and colleagues mostly RDF senior officers.
He was eulogized for great contribution to liberate the nation as well as striving for the country’s development in respective duties he held.
His child, Musemakweli Shafy revealed that his father taught them to embrace moral values and strive for bravery.
“When I went to live in America, my father told me to be a good ambassador and strive for good reputation of my country. I wish him to rest in peace with a promise to emulate his bravery,” he said.
Musemakweli’s children said they didn’t run short of anything because their father took care of them and treated them gently.
“I promise him that we shall soldier on to help our mother. It is difficult to live without him but we shall make efforts to uphold his legacy,” said Uwase.
In the message of late Lt Gen Musemakweli’s wife read by her eldest daughter, she revealed that both parents met in 1994.
“I take this moment to briefly speak about my husband and father of my children. I remember when we met for the first time in 1994 during the struggle to liberate our nation. He was a soldier and I was a medical doctor. That’s when our love journey began,” she said.
She emphasized that late Lt Gen Musemakweli has been a kind husband for the past 26 years.
“She was not only a husband but also my father. I lost my dad at early ages but I forgot sorrows of missing a parent since I lived with him. I always thank him for that. He was an honest man. I always thank him for giving me a good exemplary. I loved him so much but God has taken him again. I hope he is in God’s safe hands until we meet again,” she said.
The condolence message from President Paul Kagame and Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of RDF to the family of the late Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli read by Senior Defence and Security Advisor in the Office of the President, Gen James Kabarebe, he said that it is an extremely sad moment for the family, RDF and the country.
He commended late Lt Gen Musemakweli for his commendable service and exemplary achievements during the struggle for the liberation of the country and the subsequent struggle for the socio-economic development of the Nation ‘he was still contributing to, up to the day he passed on’.
“Late Gen Musemakweli worked tirelessly and selflessly for this Nation and his contribution is evidenced by the various appointments he held over time, to serve RDF in different capacities. These appointments testify to his exceptional commitment to fulfilling the core values RDF stands for. This is exemplified by his unrelenting endeavor to always instill these values to other RDF officers and men. His untimely passing on comes at a time the Nation and his family still needed him,” reads the message.
“What we can remember on such a day, is that all of us should strive to carry on the legacy of loving and working for our country, a value that characterized Late Gen Musemakweli. The leadership of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Defence and RDF, assures the family of Late Gen Musemakweli of their unwavering continuous support as the law requires and as it is a practice in our culture,” adds the message.
Lt. Gen. Jacques Musemakweli was among RPA soldiers that liberated the country and stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He held different senior positions in RDF leadership including; commander of Republican Guards, Army Chief of Staff and Reserve Force Chief of Staff.
On 12th January 2018, President Paul Kagame and the Commander in Chief of RDF promoted Jacques Musemakweli from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General.
Among others, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli once served as the commander of the Republican Guards prior to his appointment as Army Chief of Staff in 2016.
At the time, he was at the rank of Major General. In April 2019, Lt. Gen. Jacques Musemakweli was appointed the Commander of Reserve Forces prior to 3rd February 2019 when he became RDF Inspector General.
He also served as the Chairman of APR FC from 2013 until January 2021.
Lt Gen Musemakweli had taken post from Maj Gen Alex Kagame who was leaving for studies in China. Lt Gen Musemakweli was recently replaced by Maj Gen Mubaraka Muganga to the position in January 2021.
He was serving as RDF Inspector General prior to his demise.
Nyirahabimana was arrested at about 5am following a Police search at her house located in Mushungwe Village, where the three sacks of cannabis were recovered.
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, Nyirahabimana had just received the consignment of narcotics from her Congolese suppliers when the Police weighed in and arrested her.
“Nyirahabimana was on the list of major drug dealers and supplying other dealers in different parts of the country, she was being trailed to arrest her in the act,” CIP Karekezi said.
He added: “In the wee hours of Friday, Police in Nyamasheke received information from a resident versed with Nyirahabimana’s criminal operations, that she had just received a new consignment of narcotics from her suppliers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who sneaked the drugs into Rwanda by boat through Lake Kivu.
Police officers were immediately deployed; they arrested Nyirahabimana at her home with the three sacks of cannabis.”
Nyirahabimana admitted to the crime adding that she had ordered for the 80kgs from her Congolese suppliers. She further disclosed that they met in Lake Kivu earlier that night and that she paid them Frw200, 000, half of what they had agreed for the 80kgs of cannabis, with the remaining balance to be paid after selling the narcotics.
CIP Karekezi said that these are part of the ongoing operations aimed at breaking trafficking chains as well as local distribution channels.
“There are individuals and groups listed as drug dealers, either as major suppliers or as retailers compiled with the help of the people. Like Nyirahabimana and other drug dealers arrested in previous operations, those still involved will also be arrested if they don’t desist from these criminal acts now. Anyone still involves should wary that he or she is also being watched,” CIP Karekezi warned.
The arrest of Nyirahabimana came few days after two other drug dealers were arrested separately in Nyabihu and Rubavu districts with combined 3446 pellets of cannabis.
Last week, more than 420kgs of cannabis seized from arrested dealers in Nyabihu District were disposed of. More than 340kgs of cannabis were also disposed of in Kigali late last month.
At least 200kgs of cannabis and 1,120 litres of kanyanga, an illicit crude gin, were also destroyed early this week in Nyamasheke and Nyagatare districts, respectively.
Cannabis is listed as a “very several drug” under the Ministerial Order No.001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.
Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, anyone convicted for dealing in “very severe narcotic drugs” faces between 20 years and life in prison and a fine of between Rwf20 million Rwf30 million.
Among others, 94 new cases have been found out of 4862 sample testes while 224 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that the majority of new cases was found in Kigali: 23, Ruhango: 12, Nyaruguru:8 and Ngororero:8 while Rutsiro, Bugesera and Huye recorded zero new case.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 17929 people have been tested positive out of 969 254 sample tests of whom 16 387 have recovered.
The office is headquartered in Nyarugenge district, Kigali city in the building of I&M Bank.
The development is part of the Federation’s program to expand offices across the world.
The Regional Development Office will oversee football activities in Eastern Africa countries.
Similar offices are headquartered in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa and another one in Ethiopia which has been moved to Rwanda.
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has revealed that setting up the office in Kigali is inspired by Rwanda’s ambitions to promote football and other development projects and expressed optimism that the office will help regional countries.
“Rwanda and Kigali are special places. I witnessed it last night. Whenever I visit Rwanda, I realize that it continuously becomes a beautiful and continues to promote football activities. We have to do great things to realize significant progress in football, education, Governance, fighting against corruption in Africa. I am optimistic that it will pave the way for the development of regional football,” he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta who signed the Host Country Agreement with Mr. Gianni Infantino extolled FIFA for trust bestowed to Rwanda highlighting that ‘The Government of Rwanda will do everything possible to reach envisaged goals.’
Through the FIFA Forward Programme, FIFA enables football to grow globally and promotes the best possible conditions for football development worldwide.
FIFA Forward is built to provide 360-degree, tailor-made support for football development in each of our member associations and the six confederations.
In a bid to decentralize services and enhance efficiency among beneficiaries, FIFA has opened offices in different countries across the world and African countries including Senegal, South Africa and Ethiopia. The latter has been moved to Rwanda.
Following the successful implementation of the first edition of the FIFA Forward Development Programme 2016-2018, “FIFA Forward 1.0”, the second edition, “FIFA Forward 2.0” came into force on 1 January 2019 and will run until 31 December 2022.
FIFA seeks to inject almost US$3 million in the programme by 2022.
Since inception of FIFA Forward in 2016, the organization has opened new offices in many countries including India, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Barbados and United Arab Emirates.
Establishment of the regional development office in Rwanda was approved by the cabinet meeting held on 4th January 2021.
The livestock donated by Compassion International (a non-profit organization) include 19 cows, 8613 chickens, 150 sheep and 357 goats.
The ceremony took place yesterday in Nyundo sector where beneficiary children were represented by parents and guardians.
After receiving 3 chickens and a sheep, Tuyivugehose Pauline said donations will improve nutrition and prevent her children from malnutrition diseases.
“I will first breed the livestock to produce offspring. This will help us to rebuild, attain progress, clothe children, easily subscribe to Mutuelle de Santé and eat eggs. My children won’t suffer from Kwashiorkor because we will have eggs at home. The support gives optimism to become self-reliant,” she said.
Nzabarinda Thomas also appreciated the kind gesture noting that it will uplift his family’s welfare.
“The donations make me a livestock farmer. I have received three modern chickens and intend to buy traditional Rwandan chickens to hatch eggs. No stunting will be reported at my household. I call upon my colleagues to take good care of them if they are to attain progress,” he noted.
Niyonzima Elyse, the coordinator of Compassion Rwanda projects in Rubavu district has requested parents not to take the support for granted.
“You should keep well distributed livestock because the support is not for granted. You need to rebuild and become self-reliant. You have to take good care of these livestock, to produce offspring and attain significant progress apparent to everyone,” he said.
The vice mayor for social affairs in Rubavu district, Ishimwe Pacifique also urged beneficiaries to take advantage of the livestock and set goals to become financially stable residents.
“You are privileged to receive the livestock because all vulnerable residents don’t get such advantage. To this end, the district wants you to manage them well to become self-reliant. You have to set goals within specific time so that you can showcase what you have achieved as we return to visit you,” she said.
