Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Gasangwa had forged category D and E.
“Gasangwa had registered to do a driving test for category D but when Police officers asked him for his category A, B, C driver’s license, they noticed that he had another driver’s permit for category D and E, which was verified and found to be forged. He was arrested and handed over to RIB at Kigabiro station,” said SP Twizeyimana.
Following his arrest, the suspect revealed that bought the fake permit from one Elie Ndacyayisenga, for Rwf100,000.
Ndacyayisenga is currently detained at Mageragere prison for forging and distributing driver’s license.
The arrest of Gasangwa came a day after another man was arrested at the same driving test site for allegedly attempting to offer a bribe of Rwf400,000 to Police officers to register him among those who passed practical driving test.
The polythene bags were seized from one Damascene Tumwisigye, 37, in Mungera village, Kabuga Cell of Manyagiro Sector, who was also arrested.
The Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga said that Police was tipped off by a resident about Tumwisigye’s unlawful act.
“Tumwisigye was transporting a sack containing 494 cartons of plastic bags on a bicycle heading to Gicumbi town. He was reported by a suspicious and responsive resident, who called the Police,” SP Ndayisenga said.
Tumwisigye was allegedly hired by a trader in Gicumbi town only identified as Emmanuel, to smuggle the outlawed polythene bags into Rwanda from Uganda. He was intercepted as he delivered the banned harmful packaging products to Emmanuel.
SP Ndayisenga commended the resident, who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspect and seizure of the illicit goods.
He further warned cyclists and motorcyclists against facilitating smugglers to transport their goods.
The suspect and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Kaniga station for further investigations while the search of Emmanuel is still ongoing.
Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.
In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of three hundred thousand Rwandan francs (Rwf300,000) and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
Following the visit, Lt Gen Muhoozi revealed via Twitter handle that he was delighted to receive the delegation.
“Yesterday, I was honoured to receive a senior delegation of our RDF brothers, led by Brigadier General Nyakarundi, Director of DMI. The relations and close cooperation between UPDF and RDF continue to grow,” he tweeted on Thursday.
Rwanda and Uganda relations that had deteriorated since 2017 are currently on the mend as evidenced through exchange of visits and willingness to solve pending issues.
In reaction to the announcement on Thursday 12th may 2022, IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated that accounting for the last of the major ICTR fugitives – Protais Mpiranya – is an important step forward in the court’s continued efforts to achieve justice for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mpiranya was a feared and notorious fugitive, leader of the Presidential Guard during the Genocide and later a top commander in the FDLR.
Prosecutor Brammertz has revealed that confirming his death provides the solace of knowing that he cannot cause further harm.
He went on to explain that the results of this investigation are also a testament to the United Nations’ relentless pursuit of accountability for those indicted for the most serious crimes.
“Nearly three decades after the Genocide, my Office continues to track fugitives and prosecute our remaining cases, like the trial of Felicien Kabuga, while also giving our support to national prosecutions in Rwanda and elsewhere,” Brammertz noted.
He also extended gratitude to partners whose contributions were essential.
“The Government of Rwanda continues to be among our strongest supporters and played an important role in this investigation. Law enforcement agencies and prosecution services from Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zimbabwe and elsewhere also provided assistance.
My Office would like to further recognize again the excellent forensic support provided by the Netherlands Forensic Institute, which conducted the DNA analysis of Mpiranya’s remains,” said Brammertz.
As Commander of the Presidential Guard, Mpiranya was indicted by the ICTR in 2000, which was made public in 2002. He was charged with eight counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Notably, he was charged with responsibility for the murders of senior Rwandan leaders at the start of the genocide, including Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Information. He was also charged with the murders of ten Belgian United Nations peacekeepers during that same period.
Following a challenging and intensive investigation, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has determined that Mpiranya died on 5th October 2006 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
After the publication of the ICTR indictment against him, Mpiranya fled to Zimbabwe in late 2002, where he resided until his death.
The OTP also maintained that Mpiranya’s presence in Zimbabwe, and later the fact of his death, were deliberately concealed by the concerted efforts of his family and associates, including up to the present.
Mpiranya becomes the second Genocide fugitive confirmed dead after Augustin Bizimana (who served as the former Minister of Defence) was confirmed dead in the recent past.
The organization which started activities in Rwanda in 2011 is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
BPN has roots from Switzerland with it score objective to support entrepreneurs with promising small and medium enterprises.
Every year, the organization offers Business Management Trainings, personal coaching, loans to fair conditions and the exclusive opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs under its program.
In Rwanda, the organization has worked with nearly 300 entrepreneurs in over 20 industries.
The Country Director of BPN Rwanda, Alice Nkulikiyinka was part of the delegation received by President Kagame.
BPN also operates in other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Mongolia and Georgia.
The meeting is taking place between 20th and 26th June 2022 after it was postponed two times due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Different business deals are also expected to be signed during the meeting.
It is expected that some roads will be closed or diverted as guests will be driving to the meeting venue or returning to their accommodations to avoid traffic congestion.
To this end, new roads are needed to find an alternative and ensure free movements.
Speaking to RTV, Eng Patricie Uwase, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure has said that a lot had been done in preparations of the meeting even before COVID-19 emerged.
A total of Rwf10.5 billion had been earmarked to upgrade infrastructures including roads and airports.
{{Airport }}
Eng Uwase has said that preparations have been done from the airport where guests will land to hotels designated to accommodate them.
“We started preparations with Kigali International Airport where guests will land and take off. We have expanded it enough and upgraded parking capacity to accommodate 50 aircrafts,” he noted.
{{Roads}}
Eng Uwase has explained that there might be traffic jam from the airport during the meeting.
To address this issue, she underscored that the Government put much effort in the expansion of existing roads and creating new ones.
“Almost all have been completed – eight roads covering more than 12 kilometers. There are more nine large roads [under construction]. These include Sonatubes-Gahanga road currently at 96% and the road in Itunda with construction activities at over 70%. They will all be completed before CHOGM. Many of them are expected to be completed towards the end of this month and more efforts are being expended,” noted Eng Uwase.
Residents to be affected by closure of the road from the airport in Kanombe for safe passage of guests include those from Masaka, Kabuga, Gasogi and other areas along the road to Eastern Province.
Eng Uwase has stressed that there are alternative roads in Nyarutarama and Technique to Kimironko among others that might be used by people driving to the city center or Nyabugogo.
The areas of Kabeza and Rubirizi also have an alternative road through Itunda linking up to the one from Kanombe.
“It will be completed and currently stands at nearly 70%. Activities are being expedited that it will be finalized,” said Eng Uwase.
“There is a road that should be used most running through the areas of Kabeza from Alpha Palace Hotel. There is another from Niboye. In fact, these roads can be very helpful if they are efficiently utilized,” she added.
Eng Uwase revealed that these roads will be announced before CHOGM.
{{Hotels }}
Frank Gisha Mugisha, the Director General of the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism at the Private Sector Federation (PSF) has highlighted that there are enough hotels’ rooms to accommodate guests.
“We have registered 8000 rooms in Kigali. The meeting will bring together between 5000 and 6000 participants. This shows how the city is ready with enough accommodations,” he said.
Mugisha has said that concerned institutions are working together to secure accommodations because there are instances when one leader can book two hotels depending the number of delegates comprising his team.
{{Services }}
Mugisha has said that they have been inviting international experts to train hotels’ staffs. These are sharpening their culinary arts and equipping them with relevant skills to serve guests better. Drivers are also among other people who were trained.
“During these two months, we helped service providers through trainings by inviting experts from across the world, chefs with experience in preparing foods for Heads of State to meet with our chefs and waiters. Something great has been done,” he said.
Mugisha added that the training goes hand in hand with how best to respect COVID-19 preventive measures.
{{Residential houses’ renovation}}
As part of preparations, Eng Uwase said, residents with living along main roads have renovated their houses.
“Most of residents with houses along main roads have made renovations. We have worked together in some instances like upgrades along the road to the airport [in Kanombe]”.
“These activities also include the painting of houses where traders make possible efforts to make buildings smart. We collaborated in most cases and the activity was successful,” she added.
Eng Uwase urged those who have not yet finalized to fast track renovations.
{{Secondary cities }}
Eng Uwase has also explained that much more preparations have been done in touristic towns like Musanze by improving hotels’ services and upgrading airports.
“This was done so that tourists willing to move by aircrafts can have that alternative. We also invested enough in Rubavu and other major towns,” she said.
“For instance, we completed Kivu Marina Bay, a four-star hotel in Rusizi. In Eastern Province, you know that there is Epic hotel. However, the most important thing is about services because we don’t present beautiful buildings without good services,” added Eng Uwase.
{{Transportation }}
Rwanda has also made preparations for movements of guests to hotels or meeting venues and related activities.
“We work with companies that have entered agreements with the government and ready to serve headfirst. They prepare all needed vehicles to be able to drive guests […]” said Eng Uwase.
“We have also allowed visiting countries to make a list of other companies in which they want to hire vehicles to be helped with urgency,” she added.
{{Beautifying the city}}
Installing new much brighter lights is among activities to be given priority in Kigali.
“We are making installations along 50 kilometers in Kigali so that they will be well lit by the time the meeting will be taking place,” Eng Uwase noted.
This will go hand in hand with decorative lights to be installed at different road junctures, Car Free Zone and others.
Regarding power supply, Eng Uwase revealed that Rwanda Energy Group (REG) inspected all power lines to fix any defects.
Despite the recent water scarcity in Kigali due to damaged pipes, Eng Uwase has explained that more measures have been put in place to ensure enough reserves.
“So far, 21 water reservoirs are full. They are an addition to other reservoirs we already had in Kigali under our plan to upgrade water distribution networks,” she noted.
{A driving test candidate and driving school instructor were arrested on Wednesday, May 11, in Rwamagana District for allegedly attempting to offer a bribe of Rwf400,000 to Police officers.}
Lambert Kora, 39, had failed a driving test when he, together with Niyoyita Sylvestre, 36, a driving school instructor in Kayonza District, reached out to two Police officers, who were supervising the tests, with the bribe.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, said that Kora had failed the road driving test.
“One Wednesday, Kora, who was doing practical driving tests in Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana District, failed the road test. Ironically, Kora with the help of Niyoyita, reached out to two Police officers from the Testing and Licensing department, who were supervising the tests, with a bribe of Rwf400, 000 so as to include him (Kora) among those who passed and eligible for a driver’s license,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “Police officers reported to their superiors about the criminal attempt by the two men and they were arrested red-handed, handed over to RIB at Kigabiro station for further investigation.”
A successful candidate in practical tests pays only Rwf50,000 for a driver’s permit.
“Register for driving tests, do them and when you fail, try again next time. It is better than spending years in prison for something avoidable. Those Police officers that you try to seduce with a bribe thinking that they will fall for your criminal approaches, are the ones who will arrest you,” SP Twizeyimana warned.
Article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption states; any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
The deceased, Claude Uwarugira, 25, a third year student in mechanical engineering, went missing at about 4pm as he was swimming with other colleagues in the lake, about 2km from the college.
At exactly 9:58am on Wednesday, May 11, a team of two Police marine divers resurfaced from the waters with the body of the deceased, seven minutes after they commenced the diving search.
Police Marine commanding officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye said that the body was recovered about 10 metres deep on the side of Ruganda Village, Kiniha Cell, Bwishyura Sector.
“The deceased had gone swimming with three other students but his colleagues called the Police after they could not see him on the spot near the shores where he was swimming from,” said ACP Mwesigye.
Fellow students said that he was a beginner swimmer. They narrated that as a beginner; he stayed near the shores but could not see him few moments later.
Following the incident, Police, local authorities and IPRC-Karongi administration met with the students and communities residing along the lake in Kiniha cell and urged them to take precautionary measures to avoid such incidents.
“This is a big loss to the family, college and the country in general. Water bodies can be good for business and social life but they can also be dangerous. Always swim from the allocated spots which are safer, wear life-jackets and never go or stay alone when you are swimming,” ACP Mwesigye said.
This is the second drowning incident involving a student from IPRC-Karongi, following another one last year.
Dominique Ingabire, IPRC-Karongi Principal, said that the college is taking more precautionary measures, including awareness to prevent similar incidents.
“For starters, we are sensitizing our students but we have also put warning tapes along the dangerous spots near the college. We are also considering creating a safer swimming spot close to the college, allocate specific swimming days and hours, and put there people, who will be on lookout to prevent drowning,” Ingabire said.
The commemoration will be graced by the presence of Hon. Jakub Kumoch, Minister in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic and other officials from the Polish Government, members of the Rwandan Community in Poland, friends of Rwanda from all walks of life including Academia and Business community leaders, and members of the Diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Poland.
The ceremony will also be the opportunity to reflect on Rwanda’s rebirth. “28 years later, Rwanda has proven to be a symbol of strength, resilience, courage, and inclusive development; through our exemplary leadership. Going forward, we will continue to keep the memory of victims alive while fostering our unity and prosperity,” Rwanda’s Ambassador to Poland, Prof Anastase Shyaka stated.
During the event, several speakers will share commemorative messages with the audience, including Fr Stanislaw Urbaniak, a Polish priest who saved many lives in Ruhango District during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and was awarded the Rwandan Order of Unity (Umurinzi w’Igihango) in 2015.
The commemoration will also include a lighting of candles (Urumuri Rutazima), symbolising the never-ending light of hope, and a poem will be recited.
During the 28th National Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame noted: ” These very hard and bad lessons should never be wasted. Every year that passes makes us stronger and better people.”
Under the theme “Remember-Unite-Renew”, the commemoration period, which started on 7th April 2022, will last for 100 days until 4 July 2022.
{{Key Fact about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi:}}
On 20th April 2020, the UN General Assembly, confirming its Decision 72/550 of 26th January 2018, adopted Resolution A/RES/74/273 that “[reaffirmed] 7 April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda” and “[condemned] without reservation any denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda as a historical event in full or in part, as established by the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 2006, reject[ed] any denial of the genocide, and urge[d] Member States to develop educational programmes that will inculcate in future generations the lessons of the genocide in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.
As he met with President Kagame on Wednesday 11th May 2022; Maj Gen Diarra was accompanied by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Jean Bosco Kazura and the Head of the International Military Cooperation (IMC) Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa.
During his stay in Rwanda, Maj Gen Diarra held talks with RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Kazura and the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
When addressing Media on 10th May, the Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces said the purpose of his visit was to exchange experience and expertise on capacity building of both the Rwanda Defence Force and Malian Armed Forces.
He said that the discussions with his Rwandan counterpart tackled different aspects of cooperation in human resource development, military training and welfare among others.
The Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
Mali has been faced with insecurity since armed groups attacked the country in 2012.
