The conference hall inaugurated on 7th June 2022, accommodates up to 250 people and will help the leadership of Haute-Kotto Prefecture to host different meeting and events. It is divided into two main parts including the Conference Hall and a Multimedia room.
RDF has reported that Rugwabiza appreciated the various achievements of MINUSCA Forces countrywide and thanked Rwanda Battle Group IV for its contribution in Socio-economic development of the communities that they protect.
She also urged the peacekeepers to maintain these positive achievements.
The money was recovered from two brothers called Jean Bosco Bitunguramye, 31, and one only identified as Urimubenshi, 19, who were arrested later in the evening in Kamanyana Cell, Cyanika Sector.
The would-be victims are truck drivers, who were heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Political and Civic Education Officer for the Northern region, said that the two brothers were masquerading as employees of one of the forex bureaus at the border.
“On Monday, at about 2pm, the two truck drivers, who had crossed into Rwanda from Uganda heading to DRC, gave Bitunguramye and his brother Urimubenshi 370,000 Kenyan shillings to exchange it into US dollars. They believed that these two suspects were working at a forex bureau at the border,” SP Ndayisenga said.
Instead, the two brothers entered into one of the forex bureaus, came out from another door behind and disappeared.
“The search for the two fraudsters was immediately commenced when the victims reported the theft. With the help of some people at the border, Bitunguramye and Urimubenshi were located and arrested at about 6pm at their respective homes in Munyenkanda and Nyarutosho villages in Kamanyana Cell, Cyanika Sector, each with an equal share of 185,000 Kenyan shillings,” SP Ndayisenga said.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Cyanika station.
SP Ndayisenga advised to the public to always go to forex bureaus themselves instead of trusting their money with the people they do not know.
He further advised the young people to go and work instead of wasting their lives and ideas in such criminal acts and spending years in prison for avoidable crimes.
Obtaining property of another person by deception, under article 174 of the same law, is punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years and not more than 3 years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
The device financing program aims to contribute to the acceleration of smartphone penetration in the country, building on the gains made during the #ConnectRwanda campaign that has ran for 2 years, since its kick off in 2020.
During the signing ceremony, Mitwa Ng’ambi, MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer, stated : “We see a Rwanda where everyone is connected to the digital world, and would actively like to contribute to this. Affordability of devices is one of the top reasons cited for why people do not own a smartphone and therefore remain unconnected. Partnering with Bank of Kigali to connect the unconnected, especially on the side-lines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference, hosted in Africa for the very first time is a real honour.”
When launched in market, this program will enable customers to purchase smartphones of their choice on credit, paying back small amounts over time. Credit eligibility will be based on a customer’s usage patterns on voice calls, data, and mobile money. With offers as low as Rwf200 per day, payments will be made in three flexible settlements: either daily, weekly, or monthly via mobile money. Furthermore, each device purchased under this scheme will be bundled with free data to ease customers into the digital world.
Commenting on the development; Dr. Diane Karusisi, Bank of Kigali PLC Chief Executive Officer said: “We are pleased to partner with MTN Rwanda to ease access to smartphones and empower communities through the device financing program. At Bank of Kigali, we are constantly devising new ways to transform lives through financial inclusion across all customer segments and through this initiative, we believe more people will be able to access our digital financial services and transact seamlessly.”
The program which is set to launch in a few weeks will open the door for Rwandans to easily access a myriad of digital services and information, everywhere they go, making life that much brighter.
{{About MTN Rwandacell}}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, we have continuously invested in expanding and modernising our network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
As the country’s No 1 network, we offer various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to our customers because we believe everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.
{{About Bank of Kigali PLC}}
Bank of Kigali Plc. is the largest commercial bank in Rwanda, by total assets. In 2017, Global Credit Ratings affirmed Bank of Kigali’s long-term and short-term national scale ratings of AA-(RW) and A1+(RW) respectively with a stable outlook.
The Bank has won several back-to-back international and regional banking awards from Euromoney, The Banker, Global Finance Magazine, and EMEA Finance. Bank of Kigali has been recently awarded “Best Bank in Rwanda 2022” by Global Finance.
The event took place on Monday 6th June 2022 at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, the capital of Combodia.
Amb. Yasmin will have residence in Seoul, South Korea. King Norodom thanked President Paul Kagame for his visionary leadership and the country’s development pace.
He also reiterated commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and wished peace and sustainable development for Rwandans.
Rwanda and Cambodia enjoy diplomatic relations since 2005.
Amb. Yasmin is also expected to meet with different officials including Senate President, Samdech Say Chhum and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Chema Widhya as well as members of the private sector and Rwandans living in the country among others.
Situated on the Indochinese peninsula, Cambodia is bordered by Thailand and Laos on the north and Vietnam on the east and south.
Cambodia covers the land area of 181,035 square kilometers, bordering Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.
On Monday 6th June 2022, the new envoy presented copies of credentials to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that they also held discussions revolving around ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The outgoing ambassador, Rao Hongwei had presented credentials to President Paul Kagame in April 2017.
The new envoy, Wang Xuekun was born in 1968. He holds a PhD in Engineering and is a member of the ruling Communist Party of China.
As he arrived in Kigali for the first time towards the end of May 2022, Amb. Wang revealed that he will promote relations and cooperation between both countries after assuming duties.
Rwanda and China started bilateral ties only after a decade of Rwanda’s Independence from Belgium.
Since 1971 and more particularly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the two countries have worked closely to strategically develop their political and socio-economic ties.
China has greatly contributed to the development of Rwanda in key sectors ranging from investment, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to mining, health, agriculture, defense and security.
Among others, China currently ranks among the top investors in Rwanda which has created thousands of jobs in different sectors.
In addition to traditional cooperation areas, the two countries enjoy cooperation in e-commerce, trade in high-quality agricultural produce, as well as combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda’s coffee beans are popular on China’s e-commerce platforms.
Rwanda became the first African country to export dried chili to China. Figures released last year show that some 50,000 tons of dried chili were expected to be exported to China in 5 years.
The bilateral trade volume between the two countries in 2020 reached 321 million U.S. dollars despite the impact of COVID-19.
Since 1982, China has dispatched 21 medical teams to Rwanda, with a total of 258 doctors providing medical services to more than 700,000 local people, according to data from the embassy.
Over 5,000 students were enrolled by the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda while more than 2,000 members registered with the Rwanda Kung-Fu Wushu Federation.
Hundreds of Rwandan students receive Chinese scholarships to study in China every year while more and more Chinese have been learning about Rwanda and visiting for sightseeing and business.
During the visit on Monday 6th June 2022; they were received by Maj Gen Innocent Kabandana, the joint task force commander of Rwandan troops in Mozambique and the Commander of Rwandan Police forces deployed to the country, CP Denis Basabose.
RDF has revealed that the leaders also addressed local residents.
Rwanda sent joint troops of RDF and Rwanda National Police to Mozambique in July 2021 to fight terrorists in the country.
Following the deployment of Rwandan troops, the situation has been gradually returning to normal where displaced citizens returned home and schools resumed.
The company started operations in Rwanda in 2019 while the inauguration ceremony of Kigali office which is the first ever on African continent was due in March 2020.
The official inauguration was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Speaking at the launch on Monday 6th June 2022; the President and Chief Operations Officer of Rohde & Schwarz, Peter Riedel has commended the management of Rwanda office for having successfully started the company in difficult times.
Riedel disclosed that he met President Kagame in 2018 as he attended a security meeting in Munich. As he explained, the meeting became the foundation of fruitful collaboration leading to the opening of Rwanda office as the first milestone.
Riedel said that President Kagame invited him to visit Rwanda’s attractions where he later attended ‘Kwiza Izina’, baby gorilla naming ceremony. At the time, he named a baby gorilla from Musilikare family.
Riedel has revealed that the company plans to do more in Rwanda, increase local staff and expend much effort in trainings on cyber security to staff from relevant institutions.
He also explained that they want to improve the curriculum for Cyber Security Academy in Rwanda and provide modern infrastructures.
President Kagame commended ‘Peter and the entire Rohde & Schwarz leadership for accepting to have our country as a long-term partner’.
The Head of State said that the management didn’t hesitate when he asked them to come to Rwanda during his visit to the company’s headquarters.
Over the years, Kagame said, ‘Rwanda has made significant progress in developing our digital economy’ but highlighted that there is a lot more to do.
The Head of State underscored that the Kigali International Financial Centre, Kigali Innovation City and Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution are just examples of many things Rwanda is trying to do or can do in the near future.
“Our vision is to become a trusted hub for digital financial services and technology innovation in our region and beyond. Rohde & Schwarz is already a positive addition to Rwanda’s technology community through the software development lab started in 2019,” he said.
“Key public institutions in Rwanda are already making use of these applications. The launch of Rohde & Schwarz Rwanda Office, the first in our continent will only enhance the good collaboration we have seen,” added Kagame.
He commended the company’s new commitments in cyber security training, curriculum development as well as support for a Radio Frequency Lab in conjunction with QT-Software, a Rwandan software company.
The Head of State assured the company of Rwanda’s full support, urged the management to consider Rwanda as a reliable partner and reminded them to feel at home in Rwanda.
Diogene Niyigena, Senior Developer Team Lead at Rohde & Schwarz Rwanda has said that they have rolled out different projects for the past two years including Pace 2 related to network traffic classification in which they work with banks, airports and hospitals among others who are prone to cyber-attacks.
He explained that the local office seeks to establish a system helping different people to detect cyber-attacks and develop proactive approaches.
Under Pace 2, Niyigena revealed that they can monitor 3000 applications and alert companies on possible cyber threats.
The advisor to German Ambassador in Rwanda, Peter Primus said that the achievement is a result of cordial relations between both countries.
Rohde & Schwarz runs operations in more than 70 countries.
Three people, including the alleged rightful owner of the goods identified as Fiacle Rutabana alias Ganza, were arrested when the Congolese registered Fuso was stopped in Gikarani Village, Nengo Cell, Gisenyi Sector, on Monday, June 6.
The driver, Steven Mutabazi, and one Olivier Twizerimana, who was also on board, are two others arrested in the foiled smuggling attempt.
Police also seized nine gas cylinders, movit products and Salsa, cooking flavours from the truck.
The goods had been sneaked into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region.
“The seized skin whitening cosmetics include Coco pulp, Paw paw, beauty and epiderm crème, all which are banned in Rwanda,” said SP Karekezi.
There are 1,342 listed cream and oil brands with hydroquinone and mercury, which are prohibited in Rwanda.
According to SP Karekezi, the Police was tipped off by a “responsive resident.”
“ASOC had prior credible information that assorted goods including outlawed skin bleaching products, had been smuggled into Rwanda through a porous border point.
Information also indicated that Mutabazi (driver) and his turnboy (Twizerimana) had loaded the goods and were transporting them to City of Kigali,” SP Karekezi explained.
“Following their arrest, Mutabazi and Twizerimana disclosed that the goods belong to Rutabana, who had hired them to transport them to his store in Kimisagara, Nyarugenge District. Rutabana was later located and arrested in Rubavu,” the spokesperson said.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Gisenyi station for further legal process.
SP Karekezi thanked the resident, who reported the act of smuggling and fraud.
Article 266 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who produces, sells, or prescribes harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substance or any other products derived from plants, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she 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 Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or one of these penalties.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
The vehicle used in fraud and smuggling, it is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5,000.
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Viateur Munyurasi Gakara, the Acting District Police Commander for Rulindo, identified the suspects as Jean Claude Sibomana alias Fils and Frederic Niyonsaba, both aged 25.
He said that the duo had allegedly trafficked the narcotics into Rwanda from Uganda.
“ANU first arrested Niyonsaba in Nyirabirori Village, Gatsinde Cell of Tumba Sector with 8kgs of cannabis, where he was going to supply cannabis retailers.
Niyonsaba identified Sibomana Jean Claude as his boss, who had hired him to supply the narcotics. Sibomana was located and arrested in Cyogo village, Marembo cell of Kinihira sector also in Rulindo District with other 10kgs of cannabis,” CIP Gakara said.
Many drug traffickers have been intercepted in Rulindo District enroute to Kigali. It is mostly used as a transit route from either Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In January, three people were in Rulindo District in possession of 1,300 pellets of cannabis.
On March 1, ANU three other people in the same district with 31kgs and 200 pellets of cannabis.
Two more drug dealers were also arrested on March 7, with 12kgs and 115 pellets of cannabis.
Later on March 29, another drug trafficker was intercepted in Gatimba Village, Bugaragara Cell of Shyorongi Sector also in Rulindo trafficking about 1,000 pellets of cannabis to Kigali.
The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.’’
Article 263 of law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for “very severe narcotics,” the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
During the meeting held yesterday, Airtel Rwanda and Ericsson addressed various topics revolving around the future of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Rwanda and the digital ambitions of the country.
The meeting highlighted key areas of collaboration between Airtel Rwanda and Ericsson to strengthen their long-term partnership and to achieve Rwanda’s digitization vision.
Emmanuel Hamez , Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Rwanda said that it was great to meet in person after two years of virtual meetings.
“We are looking forward to more collaborations with Ericsson and planning a great digital future for Rwanda,” he noted.
Erik Ekudden, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Strategy, stressed hat meeting with Airtel Rwanda reiterated the long-standing partnership between Airtel Rwanda and Ericsson.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership on the road to realize and bring digitization to Rwanda to enable increased connectivity to the nation. We are committed to providing our latest technology solutions that contribute and fulfill Rwanda’s digital ambitions as part of our journey in setting #AfricaInMotion.”
{{About Ericson}}
Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity.
The company’s portfolio spans the business areas Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, and Technologies and New Businesses. It is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams.
Ericsson’s innovation investments have delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people globally. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com
