Kagame revealed this today via Twitter handle as Rwanda celebrated Heroes Day for the 27th time.
He highlighted that the legacy of bravery that characterized Rwanda’s heroes should be upheld and passed on to future generations.
“Happy Heroes Day to every Rwandan. The selfless dedication to our country of the heroes we honour today, showed us what we can achieve. The nation we have is a result of their sacrifice. These are the values we must pass on to the next generations,” he said.
Kagame also thanked people who played role in containing Coronavirus pandemic noting that it has evidenced that everyone can be a hero.
“This pandemic has shown us that we are all capable of heroic acts. As we continue the fight against COVID-19 we thank the front line health workers, the security services for their heroic sacrifice and call on every citizen to keep each other safe,” he noted.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 14 784 people have been tested positive out of 864 349 sample tests of whom 9519 have recovered, 5077 are active cases while 188 have succumbed to the virus.
Since the pandemic emerged, Rwanda embraced several preventive measures including the closure of some activities, encouraging citizens to adhere to health guidelines, testing members of the public and setting up various infrastructure designed to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
Lowy Institute from Australia has recently ranked Rwanda the 6th among top ten global countries with efficiency in Covid-19 management. It is the first African country emerging on the top 10 list.
This year, Rwanda is celebrating Heroes Day for the 27th time.
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 song reflects on heroes’ deeds and encourages Rwandans particularly the youth to uphold the legacy.
As a retired soldier, Munyanshoza has told IGIHE that he has deeper understanding on the value of heroes and wanted to remind Rwandans on outstanding deeds of heroes through the song.
“As a retired soldier trained on patriotism and understanding the value of heroes’ legacy, the song is my contribution to spread awareness of their outstanding deeds so that we altogether walk the journey towards upholding heroes’ legacy,” he said.
The artist also encouraged Rwandans to concert efforts to consolidate gains.
This year, Rwanda is celebrating Heroes Day for the 27th time.
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.
He made the criticism on Saturday 30th January 2021 during a talk show with One Nation Radio.
The Government of Rwanda has recently denounced claims by the United Kingdom (UK) which cited gaps in respecting human rights and put forward recommendations to improve human rights in the areas of rule of law urging the country to bring to book masterminds behind extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.
On 25th January 2021, the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General, Johnston Busingye presented Rwanda’s 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to the Human Rights Council.
Minister Busingye explained that Rwanda respected human rights principles in terms of freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of press; and freedom of association and of peaceful assembly.
He stated that the country has been efficiently implementing recommendations received in 2015.
Commenting on some organizations that have been accusing Rwanda of harassing opposition figures and journalists; Minister Busingye explained that it is untrue because Rwanda’s judiciary is independent and makes fair judgment.
After presenting the report; UK envoy to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland Julian Braithwaite said that Rwanda still need to implement some recommendations to improve human rights record.
“The United Kingdom welcomes Rwanda’s strong record on economic and social rights, and promotion of gender equality. We remain concerned, however, by continued restrictions to civil and political rights and media freedom. As a member of the Commonwealth, and future Chair-in-Office, we urge Rwanda to model Commonwealth values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights,” he said.
Julian Braithwaite also recommended Rwanda to: ‘Conduct transparent, credible and independent investigations into allegations of extrajudicial killings, deaths in custody, enforced disappearances and torture, and bring perpetrators to justice’.
Among others, he urged Rwanda to ‘Protect and enable journalists to work freely, without fear of retribution, and ensure that state authorities comply with the Access to Information law. Screen, identify and provide support to trafficking victims, including those held in Government transit centres’.
In response to these comments, Rwanda’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland said that these recommendations are unfounded.
As he featured in a talk show with One Nation Radio, Nduhungirehe explained that genocide perpetrators continue to spread genocide which pushes for the need to arrest and bring them to book.
“Apprehending suspects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is a good gesture to render justice. However, it is better to fight against genocide trivialization, denial and ideology spread among children and others by perpetrators who fled to different parts of the world,” he said.
“The genocide ideology has been increasingly spread within the past 27 years because of impunity culture and failure to arrest perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi loitering freely,” added Amb. Nduhungirehe.
He also condemned countries with relenting efforts to bring genocide perpetrators to face justice but rather spend their time to teach Rwanda how to respect democracy and human rights.
“It is astonishing that some countries educating Rwanda on democracy and human rights didn’t take action. There countries which didn’t arrest or bring to book a single genocide fugitive despite the fact that they have a list of such individuals sent by the Government of Rwanda,” noted Nduhungirehe.
He observed that bringing to book genocide suspects is the first step to respecting human rights.
“Genocide is the worst crime, this means, fighting against the crime, arresting perpetrators who are wandering freely and spreading genocide ideology in these countries, is the first step towards striving for human rights. It is crucial that these Governments understand the need to work with us to render justice, fight against revisionism and denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” stressed Nduhungirehe.
Nduhungirehe explained that Rwanda, Netherlands currently enjoy cordial relations as a country that has been helping Rwanda to arrest and bring to book genocide fugitives.
“After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Netherlands helped Rwanda through non-governmental organizations established in Rwanda. It also opened embassy in Rwanda in 1995 and started cooperation in different areas […] they have provided great support in justice,” he said.
Apart from helping Rwanda to set up infrastructure in judicial sector, Nduhungirehe highlighted that Netherlands has been bringing genocide fugitives to book.
“Netherlands has so far tried two Rwandan genocide fugitives. These include Joseph Mpambara handed life sentence in 2011 and Yvonne Basebya handed 6 years and eight months sentence in 2013. Two more Rwandans including Jean Baptiste Mugimba and Jean Claude Iyamuremye alias Nzinga were deported to Rwanda as the process is underway to extradite more suspects namely; Charles Ndereyehe suspected to have perpetrated genocide in Huye and Venant Rutunga,”he said.
“There are nine more fugitives loitering freely. We continue to collaborate with Netherlands so that they can be arrested and deported to face justice in Rwanda,” added Nduhungirehe.
Theogene Ngezahoguhora, 22, and Osia Mazimpaka, 41, were arrested on Saturday, January 30, in Mukarange Sector, Nyagatovu Cell in Akabeza Village with 14kgs of cannabis.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that information was provided by a resident, who was versed with the duo’s criminal practice.
“Normally, Mazimpaka is a commercial motorcyclist operating in Ndego Sector. Police received information earlier that day that Mazimpaka had supplied Ngezahoguhora with unknown quantity of cannabis.
Police officers arrested Ngezahoguhora at his home, who led the officers to another house where he hid the narcotics and where the 14kgs of cannabis were recovered,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added that Ngezahoguhora later led officers to Ndego also in Kayonza District, where his alleged supplier, Mazimpaka was arrested.
“The suspects are yet to disclose the origin of the narcotics or other members of the ring, but we are also still searching for another person, who was occupying the house where the narcotics were recovered,” the spokesperson explained.
He thanked the resident, who reported the criminal act and led to the arrest of the alleged drug dealers.
Mazimpaka and Ngezahoguhora were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Mukarange station.
Among others, 186 new cases have been found out of 10782 sample tests while 283 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 35, Karongi: 50, Gicumbi: 12, Gakenke: 11, Muhanga: 11, Kirehe: 11, Nyamagabe: 9, Gatsibo: 9, Kayonza: 7, Rutsiro: 7, Rusizi: 6, Kamonyi: 4, Nyanza: 3, Ruhango: 3, Rwamagana: 3, Nyagatare: 3, Nyaruguru: 1 and Ngoma: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 10 782 people have been tested positive out of 888 268 sample tests of whom 10 087 have recovered, 5021 are active cases while 196 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.
These farmers are beneficiaries of the project dubbed ‘Catalyzing Market prospects for Horticulture Small Holder Farmers, Small and Medium Enterprises in Rwanda’ funded by the European Union through European Union Development Fund (EUDF). It is implemented by a consortium of organizations including African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE) Rwanda, Tearfund and Farm Concern International (FCI).
The five-year project seeks to help farmers improve produce, meet market demand and transform their livelihoods. Beneficiaries grow of chili, pineapples, onions, garlic, red cabbages, French beans and cauliflowers.
Urayeneza Emelyne is one of the beneficiaries growing French beans in Gikomero sector, Gasabo district. As Urayeneza explained, she hardly got buyers and would sell a small portion of produce due to poor market conditions. With the interventions of the project, she has been linked to buyers who pick produce in the farm.
“Before joining the project, everyone used to sell the harvest to informal markets. However, the situation has changed. The project taught us to use quality seeds, equipped us with best agricultural techniques and helped us to access good markets,” she said.
The project’s interventions have also helped Urayeneza to increase earnings five times.
“I expect to save Rwf 1 million from agricultural activities because the project has provided all necessary support, acquainting me with best agricultural practices and facilitated access to market,” she said.
Murerehe Donatha is another farmer growing chili. She has been practicing traditional farming methods until the project intervened. Murehe along with 25 women were advised to grow marketable crops which they did and reaped big.
“We were not professional farmers with little income from our produce. Today, the situation has changed for good. We have embraced best agriculture techniques and assured of buyers including Lotec Rwanda among others. We are proud to be among farmers exporting their produce,” she said.
Murerehe has increased income from Rwf 30,000 to Rwf 200,000 per agriculture season, thanks to all forms of support that capacitated her to become a financially stable woman.
The project that started one year ago, supports groups of farmers comprised of 8110 beneficiaries and plans to increase the number to 30,000.
Tearfund which coordinates the project helps farmers in technical areas to address emerging challenges as affirmed by Jolie Murekatete, the Project Manager at Tearfund.
AEE Rwanda helps farmers in land preparation, access to seeds and supervises their activities until harvesting time while FCI links farmers to markets.
The Project Manager at AEE Rwanda, Simeon Uwiringiye has revealed that farmers have improved produce, transformed livelihoods and gained increased access to local and foreign markets which a great milestone to be proud of.
The representative of FCI in Rwanda, Ngiramahirwe Maradona also expressed delight for the project’s achievements.
“We have managed to link farmers to eight buyers exporting their produce. Within one year, farmers have generated Rwf 54 million from 204 tons of chili, pineapples, French beans and onions,” he said.
The project also intends to train farmers through study trips, building cold rooms, introduce technology in agriculture and encourage the youth in vocational schools to tap into opportunities available in agriculture.
Among others, the project seeks to introduce ‘e-Hingirisoko’, an online platform meant to help farmers access market prices and serve as buyers’ source of information for available produce.
Uwiringiye has extolled the partnership with local leaders in districts of interventions, National Agriculture Export Board (NAEB) for relentlessly providing best advice in agriculture and the European Union which funds the project.
He encouraged more buyers to come in and sign contract farming with farmers for more professional and secure work. Uwiringiye also called on interested stakeholders to reach project implementers on: 0789364749, 0786490340 and 0788546512.
The motorcycle TVS plate number RD 150J was recovered from a house located in Mataba Sector, Buyanga Cell, Gashingira Village.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alex Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said the motorcycle was stolen in the night of January 28, at about 10pm.
“The motorcycle was parked outside Rubugo’s house when thieves stole it. The victim immediately reported the alleged theft to Gakenke Police station prompting immediate investigations,” CIP Rugigana said.
“With the help of information provided by residents, we traced the motorcycle to a house where it was hidden. It was recovered on Friday at about 9am. Law enforcement organs are working together to locate and arrest individuals behind this theft,” he added.
Rubugo, who has since received his motorcycle, thanked the Police and the residents for their tireless efforts to recover it.
“I had no hope that my motorcycle would be recovered. I am grateful for the Police promptness to recover my motorcycle and thank the residents, who were quick to share credible information which facilitated the successful operation,” Rubugo said.
CIP Rugigana also thanked the local residents for their community policing and neighbourhood watch spirit, which he said plays an important role in fighting and preventing crimes.
On Thursday this week, the United Kingdom added Rwanda and Burundi to its travel ban red list explaining that the decision is meant to prevent the spread of new variants of Covid-19. The variant has however not been reported in Rwanda.
A UK government statement on Thursday said that the decision to ban travel from both countries follows the discovery of a new coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa, that may have spread to other countries, including the UAE, Burundi, and Rwanda, the UK said. The United Arab Emirates was also placed on the UK travel ban list.
“From 1 pm on Friday 29 January, passengers who have been in or transited through the United Arab Emirates, Burundi, and Rwanda in the last 10 days will no longer be granted access to the UK,” the statement says.
Following the travel ban, Rwanda has issued a statement explaining that the country has been respecting all health guidelines and requested the UK to clarify reasons behind such a decision.
“The Government of Rwanda has taken note of the UK Government announcement banning visitors who have been in, or transited through, Rwanda. Rwanda’s overall response to COVID-19 including testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment, and reporting has been consistent, transparent, by third party entities. Rwanda is one of the few countries that require a PCR COVID-19 test for all departing passengers and all those in transit,” reads part of the statement.
“Notably, Rwanda did not join in the widespread of bans on travelers from UK in December 2020 over the variant discovered in parts of the UK. Considering the list of countries in the region affected and not affected by the ban, the spare information communicated to Rwanda does not stand up to scientific scrutiny. The Government of Rwanda looks forward to receiving clarifications on the motivations behind this arbitrary decision of the UK Government,” adds the statement.
Apart from Rwanda, other African countries on the red list include Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cap Vert, RDC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Argentina, Bolivie, Brésil, Chile, Colombia, Equateur, Guyane Française, Guyane, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal Suriname, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Venezuela are among other countries put on the travel ban red list.
UK is the 5th country most affected by Coronavirus where 3,796,088 people have been tested positive of whom 105,571 succumbed to the virus.
Among others, 334 new cases have been found out of 11137 sample tests while 285 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 197, Gicumbi: 49, Gakenke: 13, Nyamagabe: 11, Karongi: 8, Ruhango: 6, Bugesera: 5, Nyanza: 5, Ngoma: 5, Kamonyi: 5, Muhanga: 5, Gatsibo: 5, Gisagara: 4, Rusizi: 3, Nyagatare: 3, Musanze: 3, Rubavu: 3, Ngororero: 1, Rulindo: 1, Nyaruguru: 1 and Huye: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 15118 people have been tested positive out of 875,486 sample tests of whom 9,804 have recovered, 5121 are active cases while 193 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.
The annual research known as Rwanda Bribery Index (RBI) is conducted to analyze the prevalence of bribery. Research outcomes were virtually presented on 28th January 2021 due to ongoing Coronavirus health guidelines.
The research showed that the prevalence of bribery among local leaders has extremely risen from 2.51% in 2019 to 4.90% in 2020 bringing local government entities on the 5th place among top corrupt institutions following Police traffic department, Private Sector, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and WASAC.
Despite the 5th place, the local government entities are however reported to have received hugest amount of bribes totaling to 74, 37% of all bribes taken last year.
The report shows that taken bribes are totaled to Rwf 19,213,188 of which Rwf 14,288,500 (74,37%) was received by local government entities.
As she presented research outcomes on Radio 10, the Chairperson of TI-RW, Ingabire Marie Immaculée explained that the rise in bribes among local government entities is due to the fact that local leaders were at the forefront of enforcing of COVID-19 preventive measures which provided a loophole for bribery.
“Corruption mostly upsurged by giving bribes to be allowed to breach COVID-19 prevention measures to run activities or move freely. These include allowing bars to operate as restaurants and shops within communities to continue activities violating curfew hours,” she said.
Ingabire explained that all these businesses operate beyond deadline hours or run bars camouflaged as restaurants because they bribed local leaders to remain silent.
Apart from COVID-19 loopholes, local leaders are also reported to take bribes while issuing land possession documents and in Girinka program among others.
Seeking quick service delivery, illegal services, evading the total cost of a particular service or offering bribes as the only alternative to get services are among top reasons people attributed to offering bribes.
The research also proved that 88, 1% of respondents in 2020 up from 86,8% in 2019 were reluctant to provide bribery related information which is considered a barrier to eradicating it.
Lack of knowledge of where to report bribery cases; fear to conflict with leaders, assuming that people gathering bribery information are corrupted are among other factors pushing people to remain silent.
In order to find a durable solution, Ingabire recommended zero tolerance to anyone reported in bribery cases and promoting technology in many possible services. He also encouraged the general public to be actively engaged in the fight against corruption and provide information whenever they are asked to give bribes.
