Rubavu district officials have told IGIHE that the rain in the night of 9th February 2021 destroyed several infrastructure including roads, houses and arable lands belonging to residents.
The mayor of Rubavu district, Habyarimana Gilbert has revealed that River Sebeya flooding destroyed wiped out 6 houses and ravaged 166 houses.
He however explained that no one lost life over the flooding. “No one has died or been injured. On the other hand six houses have been completely destroyed while 166 houses were ravaged as water flew through them,” he said.
Among others, Habyarimana explained that three arable hectares were ravaged as well as two roads in Kanama and Nyundo sectors.
The six families with wiped out houses were accommodated by neighbors. He appealed on residents to continue scaling up erosion control measures to contain further related disasters.
They are part of 103 people arrested in the Tuesday afternoon operations conducted in Rubavu town targeting violators of the national COVID-19 prevention measures.
All the 80 people were found in Saga Bay, a resto-bar joint in Gisenyi town, drinking.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said the hospitality establishment was hiding under the allowed restaurant services to also operate its bar section.
“None of all the 80 people arrested at Saga Bay was eating; they were all seated in groups drinking, no social distancing, they were hagging each other and most of them were drunk,” said CIP Karekezi.
It is the third time that the same establishment was found operating contrary to the government COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
“In the past two incidences, the owner and the management were advised and warned over the violations. For this third time, action was taken including arrests and closure of all its businesses as well as fining all people found inside,” he added.
He thanked people, who reported the violations, which could be the source of COVID-19 spread.
“Most of those arrested in Saga Bay are enlightened and knew well that what they were doing is prohibited. Unfortunately, these are the same people that tried to be stubborn during the operation,” said the spokesperson.
He faulted and warned people, who use permitted services to operate prohibited businesses adding that restaurants and cafes provide take away services only.
All the violators spent were taken to Umuganda stadium where they were educated on COVID-19 prevention measures but also fined for the violations.
Among others, 130 new cases have been found out of 4963 sample tests while 401 patients have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that the majority of new cases have were found in Kigali: 39, Nyamagabe: 22 while Gicumbi and Nyagatare recorded 11 cases respectively.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 16 941 people have been tested positive out of 931 150 sample tests of whom 13 389 have recovered, 3323 are active cases, 229 have succumbed to the virus while 18 are critically ill.
The Ministry of Health shows that the prevalence of new infections, recoveries and deaths stands at 2.6%, 79% 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.
The host organization, HWPL, is promoting international projects in 25 countries to develop long-term peacebuilding in Africa based on the initiative ‘Spreading a Culture of Peace’ also proposed by the United Nations resolution.
The forum highlighted the necessity of developing and applying a new educational policy to stop the disparities in education and human rights violations such as sexual exploitation of children and women rampant in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, speakers shared the examples of implementing HWPL Peace education curricula in their classrooms and reaffirmed the solidarity in promoting peace as educators in Africa.
A member of the University of Zambia Youths of United Nations Association(UNZAYUNA) as well as the case presenter of HWPL Peace Education, Grace Mutale highlighted the importance of HWPL Peace Education, “Through HWPL Peace Education, I realized that I am the answer to realizing peace and determined to take part in peace work.”
Deputy Director of Ministry of Education Kenya, Science and Technology, Bartholomew Lumbasi Wanikina said “Peace Education is important since through the teachers, children able to build and sustain peace in their respective families, friends, community, workplace, and country. Therefore, as educators, we must disseminate the message of peace so that children can have peace and have a sustainable peace,” emphasizing the responsibility and the role of educators in building sustainable peace.
General Secretary, Cote d’Ivoire National Commission for UNESCO, SORO N’golo Aboudo said, “We would like to have an associated school so that this culture of peace program is taught in these schools, and that the children are really aware of the issue of peace and especially the issue of nonviolence.”
During the forum, HWPL signed an MOA(‘Memorandum of Agreement’) with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Kenya, and signed Peace Academy MOUs(‘Memorandum of Understanding) with 13 schools. The department of peace education will work closely with peace academies to appoint and train on-and offline peace educators and conduct pilot classes on the value of peace.
Bamporiki has revealed this during an exclusive interview with IGIHE, few days after Rwanda celebrated Heroes Day on 1st February 2021.
“There are processes required to be acclaimed as a hero, but we experience heroism every day whether in police, military, public and private institutions. Young people are overseeing measures with dedication in a way that reflects heroism,” he said.
“Some of them carry out their task as usual in a way that the value of heroism is reflected from their acts. To this end, some young people are not complacent like the rest of the world whereby you can find a 25-year old young person being far sighted and anticipating what will happen after passing on,” added Bamporiki.
The celebration of Heroes Day was held during difficult times of Coronavirus pandemic when Rwanda’s youth is actively engaged in the fight against the pandemic in collaboration with the Government to sensitize the public on preventive measures.
At least 9000 young people were recorded participating in such voluntary work helping people to respect preventive measures in public places like markets, bus terminals, entrances of complex business buildings among others.
Bamporiki explained that such commitment is a great gesture giving hope to preserving heroism.
“Apparently, the participation of youth in enforcement of preventive measures gives hope to other aspects of livelihoods. As far as I am concerned, Rwanda will always have heroes and we should reach a point where we don’t need to make such a list, for instance, mentioning that 10,000 young people are helping us to prevent COVID-19. These include the youth volunteers deployed in different corners at markets exposed under the Sun, and young policemen overseeing prevention measures,” he says.
“It is not essential to make the list but it is necessary to stand for such heroism, whereby people need to live by heroic acts because it is the tradition in which they were raised. This is the context of the country’s expectations, and how we believe it should be done,” added Bamporiki.
Heroism among Rwandans can be reflected through one’s outstanding deeds in different areas and selfless commitment to inclusive development.
It can be manifested through selfless acts like paying sacrifice for the nation, protecting the country’s sovereignty, selflessly promoting national economy, social wellbeing, good leadership, promoting technology among other areas.
Rwanda has been celebrating National Heroes Day since 1999, with heroes classified into three categories; Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi.
Those classified in Imanzi are; late Gen. Maj Fred Gisa Rwigema former commandant of Rwanda Patriotic Army and Unknown Soldier.
Imena includes King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Michel Rwagasana, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, Félicité Niyitegeka and Nyange Students.
The child was yesterday retrieved by District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) following a tip-off from passersby that heard the baby’s innocent whimpers inside the toilet.
The executive secretary of Gacaca sector, Anaclet Habinshuti has told IGIHE that the new born child has been taken to Ruhengeri Hospital.
“When DASSO members were tipped off last evening, they rushed and rescued the baby alive. The child has been taken to the hospital and has no health problems. Relevant institutions have started investigations to identify the culprit. We have not yet identified any suspect,” he said.
The baby appearing to have born recently was first taken to Karwasa Health Center and later to Ruhengeri Hospital to take care of her or identify if she has any health problems.
On 25th January 2021, Muhoza Primary Court remanded Maniriho for 30 days, a decision which he appealed against.
Following the appeal, the court rejected the request yesterday citing many reasons pinning him.
The court said that Maniriho admitted to have had sex twice with the child, impregnated her and gave her money to undergo abortion lest she abandons school.
The court revealed that cited reasons are enough to pin him for suspected crimes.
As Maniriho appeared in Musanze Intermediary Court on 3rd February 2021, he claimed to have admitted these crimes because he was threatened with a gun pointed to his head and inflicted body harm in detention.
Musanze Intermediary Court insisted the decisions by Muhoza court are founded and upheld 30–day remand because he is suspected of cruel crimes and would tamper with investigations once released.
It was also decided that his concerns will be analyzed as trial begins in depth.
Maniriho was arrested on 9th November 2020. He is suspected of defilement, facilitating abortion and causing death of Iradukunda Emelance aged 17.
Egide Ntirandekura, 29, was arrested in Mbogo cell, Bukorota village with the stolen motorcycle number plate RE 882Y. The motorcycle belonging to one Mugenzi Mayisha, also a resident of Gikonko Sector in Gisagara, was stolen on January 23, when suspected thieves broke into his house at night.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Mugenzi reported the alleged theft at Gikonko Police station, the following morning.
“Mugenzi woke up in the morning only to find his motorcycle had been stolen from the house by unknown people. Thieves entered through the front door and Mugenzi suspected they could have used a key that he had lost,” said SP Kanamugire.
“Police later received information from a resident reporting a neighbor—Ntirandekura—who was selling a motorcycle. The resident was well informed that Ntirandekura did not have a motorcycle and suspected him to be a thief.
Police officers deployed impounded the motorcycle and took Ntirandekura into custody after realizing that it was the same motorcycle stolen from Mugenzi last month,” he added.
Ntirandekura was handed over to RIB at Gikonko station.
Mugenzi was all joy when he was informed that his motorcycle had been recovered and the suspected thief arrested.
“It was close to a month since my motorcycle was stolen; I was losing hope that it will be recovered. I thank the resident, who provided information and for the true spirit of community policing. I also thank our Police for their efforts and working with the people in fighting crimes, which also resulted into the recovery of my motorcycle,” Mugenzi said.
Article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, states that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
However, in article 167, the penalty doubles if the theft was committed through burglary.
Mpirirwe, a Ugandan national was intercepted in Kivuye Sector in Burera District as he crossed into Rwanda with a sack of cannabis weighing 20kgs.
While speaking to journalists at the Police metropolitan headquarters in Remera, Mpirirwe admitted that this was one of many deliveries he orchestrated over a period of time.
He also talked of how he successfully trafficked 10kgs of cannabis into Rwanda from Uganda, recently.
“Previously, I was supplying two local dealers, who would call me and order a particular quantity of cannabis. I would either deliver the narcotics myself to an agreed destination in Rwanda, through a porous border or they would send children to carry them from Uganda. I came to learn that these two clients were arrested and sentenced to life in prison,” narrated Mpirirwe.
Following the arrest of his two former clients, Mpirirwe went dark, until recently.
“I was recently contacted by other Rwandan drug dealers placing orders. I was arrested as I delivered 20kgs of cannabis,” Mpirirwe explained.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that Mpirirwe will be charged with trafficking and distributing narcotics in Rwanda.
“This was not his first time; Mpirirwe was reported by other drug dealers arrested recently, whom he had supplied 10kgs of cannabis,” CP Kabera said.
He advised that no good will come out of trafficking, selling and abusing drugs apart from arrest, imprisonment, poisoning people and fueling other crimes committed by people under the influence of drugs.
CP Kabera commended the role of the public in particularly fighting drug-related crimes through provision of credible information on trafficker, local distributors and dealers in their communities.
RNP, he said, mapped out major trafficking routes especially districts bordering neighboring countries from where narcotics are trafficked.
Burera alongside Gicumbi, Rubavu, Rusizi, Kirehe and Nyagatere are among the identified major trafficking routes.
Cannabis is classified as a Cannabis is classified 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 “severe narcotic drugs” faces between 20 years and life in prison and a fine between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The statement released last night also shows that 190 cases have been found out of 16811 sample tests, 359 have recovered while 16 patients are critically ill.
The statement released last night also shows that 190 cases have been found, 359 have recovered while 16 patients are critically ill. The majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 54, Karongi: 34, Kayonza: 17, Nyamagabe: 16 and Nyagatare: 14.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 16 811 people have been tested positive out of 926 187 sample tests of whom 10272 have recovered, 3597 are active cases while 226 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.
