CHAN 2020 was expected to be the 6th edition of the championship and was scheduled from April 4th to April 25th, 2020. The championship was expected to bring together 16 football teams including Rwanda.
The announcement which was released on March 17th, 2020 attributes the changes to the outbreak of coronavirus. The next dates for the event were not communicated.
FIFA requested all member bodies to halt all football events till April with the hope that the World Health Organization (WHO) will find a cure to the pandemic.
CAF explained that the decision to postpone CHAN 2020 resulted from WHO advises to contain coronavirus and the fact that more cases have been identified in Africa. In Cameroon, 4 cases have so far been identified.
On March 17th, 2020, COCAN, CHAN governing body in Cameroon confirmed that it is practically impossible to host the championship with the ongoing pandemic.
Many African countries including Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Rwanda, and Egypt have made changes in their football activities to address health threats posed by a coronavirus.
Zhang Xinmin, director of the National Center for Biotechnology Development, named the drug at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
He said the drug was found to be effective in clinical trials by two medical organizations in the country. He said the medicine worked for coronavirus-related symptoms including pneumonia and had no obvious side effects.
The director said the tests were conducted in the cities of Wuhan and Shenzhen and involved 240 patients and 80 patients respectively.
He said those who were given the medicine in Shenzhen turned negative for the virus after a median of four days after becoming positive, while it took a median of 11 days for those without the drug.
The trial also found that X-ray photos confirmed improvements in lung conditions in about 91 percent of the patients who were given the medicine. The number stood at 62 percent for those without the drug.
The director said the drug is highly safe and its effect is obvious, and formally recommends the use of the medicine as a way to tackle the virus.
A Chinese firm that has licensed the drug from its Japanese developers got government approval last month to mass-produce the medication.
China on Monday confirmed 21 new cases of the virus infections, bringing the total in the country to more than 80,000. It’s death toll now stands at 3,226.
The government has been working on the program of completely getting rid of asbestos roofing materials for ten years because of its effects on human health including incurable diseases like lung cancer and others.
In May last year, President Kagame while on a visit to Musanze and Nyabihu districts, reiterated that the roofing materials have to be got rid of once and for all.
“We took decision on removing asbestos roofing materials from government buildings ten years ago. That is what I tasked leaders because on arrival here that is what one sees first.”
The Minister of Infrastructure, Gatete Claver, recently told the media that this year 2020, will leave all state buildings free of asbestos roofing because the required funds have been realized. The removal of remnant sheets will be done be the RDF Reserve Force.
Gatete also said that they are consulting with the private owners of asbestos roofed buildings to follow suit in their removal.
By June last year, the Ministry of Infrastructure announced that 57% government buildings with asbestos materials had been removed and 66% for private buildings.
Statistics show that since 2016, 73 juvenile convicts were pardoned and offered a chance to resume their studies but that only 47 did so while 26 dropped out of school.
Article 109 of the Constitution of Rwanda states that “The President of the Republic has the authority to exercise the prerogative of mercy in accordance with the procedures provided for by law and after consultation with the Supreme Court.”
Some of the youth who were granted pardon explained that they failed to resume studied due to a lack of means and stigmatization from school officials.
Nkundimana Dieudonné, one of the youth who were pardoned said “I met difficulties when I went back to school because I was required to start high school anew when I was supposed to be in my fourth year.”
One other youth said that he had obtained good grades in Ordinary level but that he was not able to pursue studies due to poverty.
Kayitesi Alice, Kamonyi district mayor said that apart from assisting the pardoned youth to find jobs, no other incentives were put in place to support them.
“We support the youth in finding jobs and creating businesses through the Business Development Fund (BDF) but so far no incentive is available to support youth who dropped out of school.”
Some of the youth who were granted pardon was expected to have graduated high school last year. CP Jean Bosco Kabanda, Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) Commissioner in charge of correction said that going forward, RCS will collaborate with districts’ administrations to follow up on the education of pardoned youth and seek sponsors for those who are not able to pursue their studies due to financial barriers.
On March 16th, 2029, the European Union announced a complete shut down on all Schengen Area Borders, as an extreme measure to prevent the Coronavirus from further spreading in the borderless area.
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s resolution to ban entry to the US for Schengen area travelers.
President Macron confirmed that all travelers to the European Union (EU) and Schengen countries will be banned for 30 days starting Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 at noon.
“The travel ban was triggered by a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 patients in the EU and Schengen countries and banning travels is not only a preventive measure but also a way to avoid putting unbearable pressure on our health systems.”
Macron said that French citizens still in foreign countries can go home and reminded those in France to remain isolated to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The embassy of France in Rwanda advised French citizens in Rwanda to go back home before stricter bans are imposed and due to continuous flights suspension by various airlines across the world.
“All French tourists are immediately requested to leave Rwanda and inform the embassy about the airline they flew with.”
On Monday, March 16th, 2020, Brussels Airlines announced that all flights to and from Rwanda will be suspended starting Wednesday, March 18th, 2020.
In France, the number of newly infected coronavirus patients triples every day. It resulted into France banning all major businesses in the country to operate for 15 days.
5423 people have so far tested positive for COVID-19 whole 127 died from the virus.
French top health official Jerome Salomon said on March 16th, 2020 that the partial lockdown was imposed to curb the outbreak of the epidemic and put less pressure on the health system which is almost at capacity.
The announcement was published by the RRA on March 16th, 2020 via Twitter and involves many other preventive measures to be observed by taxpayers including using e-payment for custom duties and fees and declaring all imports and exports online.
Taxpayers who have not yet registered for e-payment services can approach their respective banks for support.
“For taxpayers who have already bought cars which are parked in the customs warehouse, acquisition of plate numbers and customs clearing will be done by their agents.”
In addition, customs exemption procedures will be done online via https://sw.gov.rw
Motor vehicle services request for vehicle duplicate documents and certificate for motor vehicle/cycle ownership is suspended for 2 weeks.
To all businesses, EBM installation and training will be conducted online but EBM local audit will continue to work as usual.
RURA urged the public to avoid all unnecessary travels and if not possible to clean their hands every time they onboard a motorcycle.
Lt. Col Patrick Nyirishema, RURA Director General called upon all taxi-moto drivers cooperatives to avail soap and clean water at park stations as a cautionary measure against COVID-19. The measures are set to start being implemented starting today, March 17th, 2020.
RURA announced the new preventive measures after the Ministry of Health announced that the number of coronavirus cases has reached 7 in Rwanda.
The ministry of health advises Rwandans to keep observing preventive measures to counter further spread of the virus and to call the toll-free number 114 to report any symptoms.
COVID-19 spreads through direct contact with the infected person, sneezing and coughing. To prevent the spread of the virus, regular hand washing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers or clean water and soap is advised, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoiding large gatherings. In addition, it is important to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Rwanda has taken various preventive measures to counter the spread of the virus including closing all public, private schools, and higher education institutions, prohibiting mass gatherings and postponing social events.
Closing schools, churches and other places where many people meet came into effect on Saturday when the first person was diagnosed with coronavirus in Rwanda.
The Ministry of Education in Rwanda shouldered the burden of transporting students home. Trouble dawned for those from Burundi studying in Rwanda in the southern who could not travel home.
The Minister of State in the ministry of education in charge of technology, vocational training, and skills, Irere Claudette, told IGIHE that students who did not manage to go home on Sunday evening were many but that now only 11 remain.
”Yesterday we began the exercise of transporting them from their schools. Announcements show the Burundi border is closed and so students or others it seems may not be allowed to enter the country. We have accepted to accommodate them as usual.”
We have not had the actual number. We have now a few from the southern province. As we continue getting more from other provinces, in the evening, we will have an estimate of how many they may be. Some schools in Kigali had accepted to accommodate students. We only have to tighten cleanliness measures. In Rwandan style, we have to be by their side, feed them as it has been at their own schools.”
The process of returning students home began in the southern province, one said to have more students than others equivalent to 40% of all students in the whole country. Vehicles to transport them became few hence resuming the activity on this Monday.
Irere who was speaking from Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo where students are being received from their respective schools said: “that is the work, we shall leave when all will have gone.”
There is news going around that some people tried to enter Burundi from Rwanda. It was confirmed all had to be quarantined for two weeks. This is when one can be confirmed contracted Coronavirus. In those days all signs and symptoms will have become obvious.
There is news that those who managed to enter Burundi from Rwanda were parked in military vehicles numbering 300 and taken to Ngozi in a place called “Paramedical” and quarantined to avoid transferring Corona Virus into the country.
Alternative news is that they were denied food and water; no enough sanitary equipment hence maltreatment.
They were however intercepted at Bunagana border post by the DRC soldiers on 15th October 2018 as they returned from the meeting in Kampala that had been organized by a Ugandan minister in charge of regional cooperation, Philemon Mateke, delegated by president Museveni, also attended by leaders of RNC of Kayumba Nyamwasa.
La Forge and Abega confirmed what transpired in the media that Mateke was the coordinator in the plan to merge working methods of RNC and FDLR, the outfit made of militia responsible for the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
In the meeting, Mateke represented Ugandan interests, Nkaka and Nsekanabo those of FDLR while Frank Ntwari and Rashid Bari those of RNC. Ntwari is the brother in law of Kayumba Nyamwasa and commissioner for youth in RNC.
Bazeye, 54 years of age, said that he and Abega were at first told they had a journey to Kampala by Major General Omega aka Pacifique Ntawunguka, who usually briefed them; He was at the time deputy chief of FDLR.
He said: “Omega summoned both of us and told us we were going to Kampala. You are going to meet the leaders of RNC; lend your ears to what they want to say and you will agree to what they will say.”
Abega, 47, added that in the morning of the following day, 14 October 2018, having arrived at Kisoro they used false travel documents as DRC citizens.
At Kisoro they were received by one Tito Gisesa. In FDLR he is known as Lt Col Nkuriyingoma and works on the Ugandan desk and is on the payroll of Mateke as confirmed by Bazeye.
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Having received them, Gisesa immediately led them to Hotel Umubano in Kisoro town. What everyone knows in that area is that that Hotel belongs to Mateke.
Abega said: “we rested in that Hotel until nightfall and boarded a bus to Kampala.”
Abega, Bazeye, and Gisesa arrived in Kampala in the morning. They immediately headed for Gisesa’s home at Nakulabye, rested and had lunch.
In the evening, Mateke picked them and they were taken to the meeting.
The majority of people question how a minister in Uganda government uses his official vehicle to transport people belonging to a rebel organization that has vowed to disrupt security in another country. They wonder how far Ugandan leaders want to go working with terrorist organizations that want to disrupt Rwanda.
Bazeye said that upon entering Mateke vehicle, he immediately asked him and Abega: “ FDLR, are you ready to work with Abatutsi?” the answer was “yes”.
Mateke immediately said: “It is good, I have a message for you from Museveni.”
Analysts say the aim of merging FDLR and RNC based on mutual understanding, was very much supported by the Uganda government to hoodwink the masses that the war against Rwanda government was for all Rwandans not based on ethnicity.
Bazeye and Abega said they promised those present that FDLR was ready to work with RNC in every way. To them whatever would render them oust the government of Rwanda was welcome. Mateke is said to have immediately smiled with tremendous pleasure because of that point. The two leaders of FDLR thanked Uganda Government that took the decision to let them meet RNC. They agree Mateke promised them he would relay their message to President Museveni.
Mateke said: “This is the first meeting, better things lie ahead in this collaboration.”
Abega revealed that when the meeting was drawing to a close, Mateke told them that the next meeting was to let them meet Kayumba himself.
Frank Ntwari and Rashid on behalf of RNC were happy with how the meeting was conducted.
Bazeye and Abega said that after the meeting in Serena, that took few hours, Mateke gave them transport money and they thanked him. They then went to the place where they would board a bus to Kisoro that evening. When they reached the border that is when they got arrested by DRC soldiers.
Ron Adam, Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda confirmed the embassy was closed on March 15th, 2020 via Twitter, in a message which read.
“Our Embassy will be closed starting tomorrow. We shall work from home for the benefit of our two countries, Israel and Rwanda. Any urgent consular service requests shall be addressed. Let’s hope for a quick back to normalcy.”
On Sunday, March 15th, 2020, the Ministry of Health announced that the number of COVID-19 cases had reached 5 while 160,000 cases have been identified across the globe.
The ministry of health advises Rwandans to keep observing preventive measures to counter further spread of the virus and to call the toll-free number 114 to report any symptoms.
