The event was also attended by different heads of missions accredited to Moscow.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Mujawamariya Jeanne d’Arc requested everyone to honor RPF Inkotanyi soldiers for stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, liberating the country from oppressive regime and raising the country’s flag to an international repute.
She said that all should consolidate the gains realized with regards to economic transformation, good governance, improved wellbeing, judiciary sector emanating from sacrifice and commitment of Rwandans.
“As Rwandans, we attach great importance to the liberation of our nation because it has a strong foundation on sacrifices of Rwandans to liberate the country from bad governance that currently everyone takes pride to have Rwanda as a home,” said Mujawamariya.
“No one ever thought Rwanda’s progress would be at this extent following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Let’s honor all these Rwandans who liberated the country which has become a role model for good governance in the region, Africa and worldwide,” she added.
Mujawamariya reminded the youth present at the event on advises of President Paul Kagame during a press conference preceding the Liberation Day, where he said that there should be no point where Rwandans feel like they have arrived but rather should be concerned with more progress and consolidating gains.
Director of Department of Africa relations at Russia Foreign Ministry Kemarsky Andrey Vadimovich wished all Rwandans and their friends a happy Liberation Day. He said that Rwanda, Russia relations have reached greater heights in education, health, investment and trade sectors among others which Vadimovich observed as a reflection that Rwanda is Russia’s trusted friend in terms of cooperation.
He assured participants that both countries shall keep working together for mutual benefits of their citizens.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said: “The suspect approached the agent, presented two notes of 5, 000 Frw to be electronically wired to the mobile account of one Eric Muhayimana.”
She further explained that the would-be victim checked the notes which she discovered to be fake, she informed authorities and the suspect was apprehended and handed over to Police.
The suspect was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Kimihurura station.
Following the arrest, electronic money agents have been advised to carefully check monies given to them to prevent falling prey.
They were also called upon to always be quick to report people who attempt to defraud them with counterfeit currency to be deposited or electronically sent to their personal or other people’s mobile accounts.
Counterfeit, falsification or alteration of currency or monetary signs or their distribution is criminalized under article 269 of the penal code.
It 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 event was hosted by an international peace NGO called Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and its youth organization, International Peace Youth Group (IPYG). In attendance with citizens, students, and Journalists, the participants joined the “Peace Letter Campaign” and the “Peace Walk” to promote a culture of peace in Rwanda.
The “Peace Letter Campaign” is a worldwide youth-led campaign that aims to urge for the support for the establishment of an international legal framework for a sustainable peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The DPCW, a crystallized form of the Declaration of World Peace, includes provisions to prevent war-related actions, suggest the peaceful dispute settlement, and maintain sustainable peace.
The participants wrote letters to the president of Rwanda to call for the support for the DPCW in order to develop it into a legally binding document by submitting it as a resolution to the UN. And the letters will be delivered to president after the event. At the end of the event, they set out for the peace walk.
Ms. Jenny, a participant of the event, said “The most inspiring thing was the student’s attitude about peace. When they do peace walk with great smile, I could feel their eagerness of achieving peace. what I hope is Rwandan’s support for DPCW as peace-loving country. I’m sure it must be very meaningful.”
As a solution is needed to root out wars and armed conflicts, HWPL has introduced the DPCW to all sectors of the society including high-level officials of governments, religious leaders, educators, youth, women, and media. Civil society around the world has cooperated with HWPL by joining its peace initiatives such as the establishment of international law for peace, interfaith dialogue meeting, and peace education.
After laying wreaths at mass graves, both guests toured facilities of the memorial and were taken through history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
President Geingob later signed in the book of guests and left a message encouraging the world to learn from what happened in Rwanda to prevent re-occurence elsewhere across the world. He also advised the rest of the world to learn from Rwanda’s experience of healing genocide wounds to build a better future without genocide ideology and discrimination.
President Geingob and his wife arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday to join Rwanda during the celebration of the 24th Liberation Day anniversary that took place on 4th July 2019 at Amahoro Stadium.
In Central African Republic (CAR) celebrations that were also attended by senior government officials and top UN officials, were held in two separate areas where Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed; in Socatel M’poko in the capital Bangui and Kaga-Bandoro, about 400km from the capital.
In Bangui, where two Rwandan Police contingents and a military contingent are deployed, they were joined by Rwandans in Diaspora, friends on Rwanda in CAR and senior UN officials headed by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye.
The occasion was presided over by CAR Minister of Defense, Marie Noelle Koyara, who commended the Rwandan peacekeepers for their “professionalism, skills and discipline” and urged them to share them with their counterparts in CAR.
“Rwanda’s period of struggle is almost similar to the one the Central African Republic has passed through. This is why we have to learn a lot from the efforts and commitment of the Rwandan army during the liberation struggle headed by your current President, His Excellency Paul Kagame,” Minister Koyara said
Lt Col. Vincent Ntazinda, who spoke on behalf of Rwandan peacekeepers in Bangui, dwelt much on Rwanda’s bad history and the journey to liberate the country.
“We thank you so much for your accompany on this great day that marks the Rwandan Liberation Day. This day came after four years of struggle to change our nation, give hope and unite Rwandans,” Lt. Col Ntazinda said.
He said that partnership with other African countries particularly through peacekeeping is Rwanda’s policy towards peace and stability on the continent especially in protection of civilians.
Nicholas Rugira, who heads the Rwandan diaspora in CAR, said that Rwanda’s patriotic spirit that stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which more than one million people were killed, and liberated the country, continues to be the pillar of Rwanda’s transformation process.
In Kaga-Bandoro, celebration activities were held at the Rwandan Formed Police Unit (FPU) contingent base-camp and presided over by the Prefect of Nana-Gribizi prefecture, Mahamat Abdoulaye.
They were also joined representatives of CAR security organs, contingent commanders of peacekeeping units from other countries deployed in the area, representatives of former armed groups and local leaders and residents.
South Sudan
In South Sudan, the Rwandan peacekeepers deployed in Malakal under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), were also joined by Rwandans living in Malakal, other peacekeepers, local officials and residents.
The Governor of Upper Nile, Peter Chol Wal, who graced the event, said: “I know the meaning of liberation because I was part of the struggle to liberate my country, and such a day bring the memories of what you fought for.”
He added: “Today you are commemorating the brave ones you lost during the liberation war, the ones who gave their lives for the dignity of your country.”
He further said that 25 years later, Rwanda is also celebrating the progress made in all aspects of development.
The Governor commended Rwanda’s “good leadership and their tireless efforts in the continuous liberation struggle.”
Christian Milkhail from UNMISS Field Office, who was in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994, recalled the state of Rwanda in that period and how the country was ruined by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which more than million people were killed in a space of only one hundred days.
“Such a day bring memories of the difficult period in lives of Rwandans; it’s amazing how the country managed to overcome such kind of challenging situation with in just 25 years… it’s a miracle,” Milkhail said.
He observed that the Liberation Day is an act of “unifying a peaceful Rwanda which is prosperous for all.”
“Rwandans are commonly known for working efficiently… aiming for success in development even in fighting corruption, it’s an admired country, we are all proud as Africans for a country which is striving and reaching millennium development goals,” Milkhail added.
Rwanda maintains Formed Police Unit (FPU) hybrid contingent of 240 officers in Malakal.
At least eight bales contained used shoes and six others of clothes.
The Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that earlier that evening, the District Police Unit of Nyamasheke received a phone call from an informer in Kamembe about two people, who had smuggled quantities of secondhand clothes and shoes into the country from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The caller was specific on the particulars of the suspected smugglers and the funeral vehicle which they had hired in an attempt to beat security,” CP Kabera said.
“We mounted a snap-check along Ntendezi- Gashyirabwoba road where a Mercedes Benz RAD 819J driven by Afrika Placide, 57, was stopped at about 10pm, recovered eight bales of shoes and six bales of clothes. The vehicle was impounded to Ruharambuga Police station while goods were handed over to the Revenue Protection Unit,” he added.
He said three suspects identified as Daniel Ntigurirwa, 29, the owner of shoes; Simon Kagesera, 41, owner of bales of clothes and their driver, Afrika Placide are also detained at Ruharambuga Police station.
How caguwa is smuggled
Ntigurirwa, one of the suspects, admitted that this was his third time he has smuggled secondhand clothes into the country. He was successful in his first two attempts.
“Normally, there are Congolese, who have ventured in this business of smuggling through Lake Kivu to an agreed destination in Rwanda,” Ntigurirwa narrated.
He added: “When you cross to DR Congo and buy your secondhand shoes and clothes, or even other goods, you reach out to them and you agreed on how much you will pay them after delivering the goods to a specific destination on the Rwandan side. The agreed destination has to be somewhere near the border or the lake. In my case, I paid them Rwf20000 to deliver them to my home in Kamembe.”
Ntigurirwa explained that earlier the day of their arrest, together with Kagesera, they met Africa (driver) at a bar in Kamembe town, Rusizi District.
“We told him the whole plan, he agreed. Since this was a funeral service vehicle we thought it would be a successful deal to smuggle the goods to Kigali without being stopped,” Ntigurirwa explained.
Ntigurirwa alone was to pay the driver Rwf30, 000 on arrival in Kigali.
CP Kabera thanked the role of the public in information sharing, which he said plays a central role in identifying and arresting especially smugglers and drug traffickers, adding that “operations against such unlawful activities are continuous.”
By law, a vehicle used in smuggling as well as the smuggled goods are auctioned, while the driver is handed a penalty of US$5000.
The agreements have been signed today after Tête a Tête bilateral talks as part of President Bio official visit to Rwanda following his attendance at celebration of the 25th anniversary of Rwanda’s liberation.
The agreements are related to political discourses, exempting visa for diplomatic and official passport holders.
On the side of Sierra Leone, agreements were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis while Rwanda was represented by Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Before signing agreements, President Kagame thanked President Bio for honouring Rwanda with his presence at the 25th Liberation Day celebrations.
“Rwanda and Sierra Leone have much in common. We share a history of violent conflict, as well as the determination to work towards a brighter future for our people,” he said.
Kagame highlighted that his counterpart’s visit is important because it allows reinforcing already existing warm bilateral relations.
He reiterated that Rwanda wishes to build on the existing brotherly ties, and partnership in sharing experiences and best practices in key areas.
Rwanda and Sierra Leone are both committed members of the African Union.
Kagame said that together with other member states, both countries will continue to collaborate closely on the continent’s priority agenda.
“In particular, we look forward to ensuring the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which both Rwanda and Sierra Leone have ratified, following the upcoming launch at the African Union summit in Niger,” he stressed.
“We look forward to enhancing our partnership, in pursuit of our common goals. Looking forward to continued future interactions between the two of us, our government officials and the people of Sierra Leone and Rwanda which we will continue strengthening,” added Kagame.
President Maada Bio said that Rwanda is a country that has attained a lot of transformations that his country wants to learn from.
He lauded Rwanda’s governance which resurrected the country from a hopeless nation to a role model country in Africa of which deeds need to be emulated in Sierra Leone as a country shaken by Ebola outbreak in the past five years.
“We are here to learn from your experiences that led to current transformations. A lot has been done in health sector, governance, technology advancement and making Kigali one of world’s cleanest cities. These are practices we can learn from,” he said.
Julius Maada Bio chairing ‘Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)’ won presidential elections with 51.8 % votes on 31st March 2018.
Dr. Harebamungu Mathias was the first Rwandan ambassador to Sierra Leone in 2017.
It is said that the suspect met the girl at Nyabugogo bus terminal from where he lured her to his home. The girl was asking for directions.
Sentwali has been arrested by patrol agents today morning.
The Executive Secretary of Nzove sector, Jean Claude has confirmed to IGIHE that the suspect is detained at Kanyinya police station.
“The man met a 14 year old girl at Nyabugogo bus terminal. He lured her with Rwf 2000. She followed the man who defiled her,” he said.
The girl alerted people on patrol who intervened and took the suspect to Kanyinya police station.
Article 146 of the penal code states that when a defiler is convicted, one is liable to life imprisonment. The penalty becomes life imprisonment if the victim is a child aged above ten years but less than fourteen years.
The penalty becomes a term of imprisonment of not less than fifteen years but not exceeding twenty years if the victim is a child aged fourteen but not exceeding sixteen years.
If the defilement is committed against a child above sixteen, the penalty becomes a term of imprisonment not less than ten years and less than fifteen years.
The Rwf 8 million public water tap was built by Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) in AVEGA Agahozo village accommodating 25 families of genocide orphans and widows of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The public water facility will also serve 37 families from Rambura village and ADEPR Nyagasambu church goers.
The Chief Executive of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) Eng. Aime Muzora requested Rambura residents to improve hygiene as the facility aligns with Government’s plans to improve citizens’ wellbeing in different aspects.
“We want you to maintain your bodies and homes’ neatness. The infrastructure aligns with the Government’s initiatives to promote citizen’s welfare. Water is life. We want you to preserve these infrastructures,” he said.
Musindikazi Odette, one of villagers commended the efforts enhancing their wellbeing.
“We are pleased with infrastructures made available. We used to fetch water from a far distant area and I would find it difficult to get there every day because I live alone. With the public water facility brought to our doors, we shall fetch water closer, wash clothes easily and drink safe water,” she said.
Katabarwa Emmanuel, one of genocide orphans in the village said the new facility will see them abandoning the marshland water.
“Life is set to be transformed. We used to fetch untidy water from the marshland and walk long distance to get safe water to drink in Gahondohondo. We are overjoyed with the new infrastructure,” he asserted.
Following residents’ concerns that the new water facility is not adequate to eliminate long queue while fetching water, WASAC promised to build another public water tap soon on the land designated by Rwamagana district.
The mayor of Rwamagana district, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi has requested Fumbwe residents to maintain infrastructure made available.
“We want you to take care of such infrastructure enabling improved welfare. We also thank WASAC for bringing the infrastructure in Nyagasambu in Rwamagana district,” he said.
The launch of the new public water facility coincided with the 25th anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day.
Fumbwe sector comprises of 6 338 residents on 44 square kilometers.
The newly constructed house handed to the survivor yesterday was also equipped with necessary equipment like beds, chairs and kitchen utensils among others.
Nyirabakiga appreciated the gesture of Prime Insurance Ltd saying the new house will enable to lead a decent life in her advanced age unlike the past where it would rain on her in the former house.
The previous old house had been constructed by Oxfam Rwanda shortly after genocide.
Valerie Mukabahire, the president of Avega Agahozo reflected on the country’s rebuilding process after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and highlighted that many of the houses constructed for genocide survivors have turned old.
She said AVEGA has inadequate means despite the a large number of genocide survivors in need of decent houses and commended Prime Insurance Ltd support to Nyirabakiga.
The Head of Sales at Prime Insurance Ltd Emmanuel Nyirigira said the idea went into effect after discussions with the management that came up with the decision to support the beneficiary along the resilience process.
Nyirigira explained that the company feels responsible to supporting genocide survivors is part of their responsibilities as Rwandans.
“We are making business but we also have the responsibility as Rwandans. It is part of the company’s initiatives to support needy people,” he said. Prime Insurance also committed to provide Rwf 20,000 monthly support to Nyirabakiga for the period of one year effective from July 2019.
Prime Insurance was established in 1995 as Cogear Ltd, a licensed general and life insurance company authorized by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). In December 2011, Cogear created Prime Life Assurance Ltd to comply with the regulator’s directive to separate its general and non-life insurance businesses, and also to expand its business to provide long-term (life) insurance policies. The regulator authorized Prime Life Assurance Ltd in May 2012. The company was rebranded into Prime Insurance Ltd and Prime Life Insurance Ltd respectively when Greenoaks Global Holdings acquired the company in 2014.
