Alphonse Niyongoma, 44, and Dieudonne Muhoza, 38, were arrested at Kigali stadium in Nyarugenge District where they had gone for provisional driving test.
The Deputy RNP spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Africa Sendahangarwa Apollo said that the suspects were identified at the gate where Police officers were checking documents for the registered driving candidates.
“Before candidates start the driving tests, Police officers have to check all their papers to ensure that they fulfill all the requirements, and negative Covid-19 test is among those requirements. That is how the two candidates were identified with altered Covid-19 test results,” CSP Africa said.
The suspects, both from Gasabo District, had not gone for Covid-19 test. They altered the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) messages sent to them by those who had done the test.
CSP Sendahangarwa said that police is still searching for their accomplices who sent them the RBC messages that were altered.
Article 276 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person, who in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offence.
Any person who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
Mukamurenzi was appointed by the Cabinet Meeting held on 14th December 2021 and was later approved the Senate on 28th December 2021.
She took the oath on Tuesday 25th January 2022 in a ceremony held at Village Urugwiro. It was attended by different Government officials.
As he officiated the ceremony, Kagame said that Mukamurenzi has experience in the justice sector which she will leverage on to serve Rwandans and the nation efficiently.
The President explained that the sworn-in official will be assuming heavy responsibilities because justice is among major pillars on which Rwanda’s development is entrenched.
“Our country’s history teaches us many lessons. One of them being not to tolerate injustice. It is important that we take initiative to fight injustice in any form, no matter where it comes from,” Kagame said.
The Head of State said that liberation was meant to get rid of injustice and stressed the need to keep soldiering on to fight it.
The Court of Appeal, he said, is one of the entities that were established to expedite the adjudication of court cases, for Rwandans to get justice in a swift manner, remarking that “justice delayed is justice denied.”
Kagame also urged all concerned organs to work together to dispense justice efficiently and promised support to the newly sworn-in judge to fulfill her duties.
The symposium is a forum that brings together Air Chiefs from militaries on the African continent to discuss regional and continental issues, enhance relationship and increase cooperation among African Air Forces.
While addressing the participants of the symposium, Kagame urged African countries to prioritise partnerships. He said that many of Africa’s emerging security challenges are transnational in scope and no one country has the resources to respond to them alone.
The President said that strategic airlift is a critical component for the maintenance of peace and security on the continent, particularly for peacekeeping operations.
The US Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter H.Vrooman emphasised that collaboration is vital to solve security concerns and shape a better future for African continent. He said that strategic airlift is very critical and partner nations should work together to provide each other airlift capabilities to address growing needs for the respective countries on the continent.
The AACS is being co-hosted by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with the United States Air Forces Africa under the theme “Strategic Airlift”. The symposium attracted 30 member states of the Association of African Air Forces.
Minister Gatete made the promise as he inspected infrastructures in Southern Province.
The bridge collapsed in 2019 when a truck carrying sand fell off.
Minister Gatete said that the bridge is set to be renovated for residents to resume trade without disruptions.
“I visited the bridge this week to assess the situation. There is a path for pedestrians and motorcyclists but buses cannot cross it. This negatively impacts trade between Kamonyi and Ruhango,” he said.
Amb. Gatete revealed that the study the Engineering Brigade has completed the study of the project pending implementation which is expected in the near future under the budget being revised.
He assured that plans to rehabilitate more bridges are underway.
Construction of the taxi park started in 2016 and later halted due to undisclosed reasons.
It will be built in Nduba village, Congo Nil cell of Gihango sector.
Rutsiro district vice mayor for economic affairs, Etienne Havugimana has told IGIHE that construction of the bus park will begin in August 2022.
“It will be built by members of the private sector after entering agreement with the district which provided funds for expropriation. They will pay the money in installments,” he said.
The land where the bus park is to be built is valued at Rwf70 million.
The Chairman of the Private Sector Federation in Rutsiro district, Marie Chantal Nyirakamineza has told IGIHE that she is not aware of reasons behind delayed construction activities. She however assured that it will be completed in two years.
“Only one person has not yet been expropriated. Once the transaction is completed, we shall begin construction activities,” she said.
The bus stop will be built along the Kivu Belt road connecting five districts in Western Province including Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke and Rusizi. It is expected to accommodate more than 30 buses per day.
Nyirakamineza explained that the modern bus park comprised of 20 shopping units will also create new business opportunities in its surroundings.
On Monday, January 24, practical-based awareness on fire safety was extended to 76 staff of Intare Arena in Rusororo Sector, Gasabo District.
The trainees in the one day exercise include administrators, technicians, head of departments, casual workers and security guards.
They were explained on the causes and components of fire, how to use different types of fire extinguishers and procedures of evacuating facilities in case of fire outbreak.
The training is part of RNP programme aimed at equipping institutions, people working in facilities receiving a big number of people on a daily basis such as commercial buildings, hospitals, schools and the public in general with knowledge and skills to prevent and fight fire outbreak.
Claire Iribagiza, the manager for Intare Arena Investment Company thanked RNP for responding to their request to train their staff on fire safety.
“Through this training, we have gained knowledge and skills on the causes of fire and how to use the available equipment like fire extinguishers, fire blanket, water hydrant and sand to put out fire.
We host many events and ceremonies and it is important for each and everyone to know what can cause fire so as to prevent it but also to know what to do when fire breaks out,” Iribagiza said.
ACP Paul Gatambira, the commanding officer for FRB, said that RNP is willing and always ready to respond to any invitation to train their staff.
Amb. Vrooman who ended his tour of duty has been assuming the duties for more than four years.
The farewell ceremony held at Village Urugwiro, on Monday 24th January 2022, was also attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Peter Hendrick Vrooman had presented credentials to President Paul Kagame on 6th April 2018 replacing Erica Barks-Ruggles who had held the position since 2014.
During his tour of duty, Vrooman was particularly admired for friendly interactions with Rwandans and efforts to learn Kinyarwanda where he was heard at different times holding speeches in the language.
Ambassador Vrooman recently served as the Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prior to that he served as the spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi; Director for Iraq on the staff of the National Security Council in Washington, D.C.; and Deputy Political Counselor in Tel Aviv and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
He also worked at the U.S. embassies in Baghdad, Beirut, and Djibouti, as well as the U.S. Liaison Office in Mogadishu, Somalia.
In Washington, he was a Watch Officer in the Department of State’s Operations Center and the Desk Officer for Algeria in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
A native of New York in 1966, Ambassador Vrooman graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Social Studies and earned an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces, now known as the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked as the special assistant to the President of the American University in Cairo.
Amb. Vrooman was married to Johnette Iris Stubbs with whom they begot two children.
Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Philibert Afrika said that Professor Rugimbana brings to the Vice Chancellor role, a wealth of administrative university experience and scholarship having worked in important university governance roles such as serving as Executive Dean, Campus Rector, Associate Dean, Director of a Graduate School and Head of Department.
In accepting the appointment, the incoming Vice Chancellor expressed his appreciation to UoK’s Board of Promoters for the opportunity offered him and pledged to continue lifting the national and international reputation of the University.
Prof. Robert Rugimbana is a Professor of Marketing and a rated South African National Research Foundation scholar. He undertook his graduate studies in Australia and ended up being promoted to the Professoriate at Griffith University in Brisbane Queensland. Professor Rugimbana has taught, researched, supervised, and examined Masters and PhD thesis of students in a range of Business/Marketing/entrepreneurship areas.
He has also served on several Academic Governance Review Panels including Avondale College, Australia. In South Africa, Professor Robert Rugimbana has worked with consultancies in various capacity building projects and senior advisory roles in Universities such as University of Western Cape, University of Limpopo, the Da Vinci Institute and the new EDUVOS Private University, formerly Pearson Institute of Higher Education.
Professor Robert Rugimbana has several international peer reviewed journals to his credit and completed an edited book on Cross-Cultural Marketing, published by Thomson Learning International Business Press – UK.
He has also served as a senior consultant for several large Australian Organizations including one of the four largest banks in Australia, the Australian New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and The South Australian Association of Credit Unions.
Registration for January 2022 intake is still ongoing! Apply now! Please call +250788303386/+250789009221 or online via: mis.uok.ac.rw/apply
He made the revelation during the talk show dubbed ‘Ishusho y’Icyumweru’ loosely translated as Weekly Review aired on RBA on Sunday 23rd January 2022.
Mukuralinda explained that there has an open ground for discussions of matters affecting both countries’ relations since the situation worsened five years ago.
“For instance, the two embassies are open. Officials at all levels have engaged in discussions. There have been discussions, transmission of messages through envoys from both countries, some of whom were not disclosed to the public,” he said.
Mukuralinda also hinted on Luanda agreements signed in Angola in 2019 and recent efforts where the Uganda’s envoy, Adonia Ayebare and Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Rwanda to mend relations.
Despite the delay in reaching common ground, Mukuralinda revealed that the most important thing is to continue discussions to address raised concerns.
“Discussions were held at different levels. The talk held yesterday was at higher level,” he said.
“The fact that the President of Uganda decided to send his son, the Senior Presidential Advisor in Charge of Special Operations and Uganda People’s Defence Forces Commander of Land Forces to his counterpart; evidences that people’s hope for normalized relations is founded. However, they should be mindful that the optimism is not rooted on yesterday’s visit. The other visits were in the same context,” Mukuralinda added.
The fact that both sides affirmed to have held productive discussions conveys a significant message.
Some Rwandan nationals living or traveling to Uganda for different reasons are reported incarcerated and tortured, dispossessed of their belongings and dumped at borders.
Mukuralinda said that Rwanda has already raised concerns of dissidents with intentions to threaten Rwanda’s security operating in Uganda and highlighted that it is time to put into action what is needed most to bring the situation to normal following discussions, signed agreements, transmission of messages through envoys.
He however explained that it would be to rush to decide when relations will be fully mended.
“On the other hand, I can say that we have reached at least 60% of positive progress in consideration of past efforts. I am convinced that the implementation of resolutions taken at such level cannot be delayed,” he said.
Reflecting on a tweet by Rwanda’s Presidency that ‘President Kagame and General Muhoozi had cordial, productive and forward looking discussions about Rwanda’s concerns and practical steps needed to restore the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda’, Mukuralinda reassured citizens on normalized relations.
“There is optimism but people should understand that it is not something to done in two or three days because existing problems are serious. The most important thing is to have them talked about. Let us turn words into actions. If we point out that Rwandans are being tortured in Uganda, that Uganda houses Rwanda’s dissidents; it remains a matter of determining what are needed actions to stop the situation?” he wondered.
After arriving in Uganda, Lt Gen Muhoozi used his twitter handle to post that only enemies would fight both countries’ unity.
He stressed the need to resolve existing small problems quickly to move forward together.
Mukuralinda explained that that things are bound to be in the right direction when one of parties involved in conflicts starts realizing that the person fuelling confrontations is an enemy.
“We must not do things in haste because we need to reach long-lasting solution,” he said.
A lawyer and Principal of the College of Arts and Social Sciences – University of Rwanda (CASS), Dr. Alphonse Muleefu who also featured in the talk show, highlighted that the current situation is promising for both countries to reach common ground.
The recent visit by Lt Gen Muhoozi was considered a great step to restore relations to normal after five years of deteriorated relations.
Before 1994, the country’s health services were mainly provided by public health facilities with small number of specialized doctors and inadequate advanced equipment.
Today, the situation is gradually becoming history with the increase of public and private health facilities, modern health equipment and advanced technology to promote health tourism even though a lot still needs to be done.
Frontier Diagnostic Center and polyclinic is one of health facilities expected to increase health tourism following plans to open doors to Rwanda.
Located in Nyarutarama nearby the Kigali Golf Course, Frontier Diagnostic Center and Polyclinic is a subsidiary of Alzaytouna Network co.ltd. The centre will offer health services ranging from Obs&Gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, cardiology, renal and oncology.
Other health services packages include internal medicine with advanced endoscopy, Imaging services, physiotherapy, minor surgery, laboratory services, emergency and Short stay ward services.
Frontier Diagnostic Center and Polyclinic has equipment with advanced technology and specialist doctors from different countries including those whose health sectors developed in centuries.
The health facility has a fully automated laboratory, and advanced machines including MRI 1.5 Tesla, CT-Scan, X-Ray FDR smart Fujifilm, Ultrasound, Echocardiography and Endoscopy machine.
Dr. Elmetwally, the Medical Director and specialist in Gastroenterology & Endoscopy at Frontier Diagnostic Center said that the hospital will attend to patients in need of different health services and others transferred from other facilities for imaging services and specialists services.
He explained that Rwanda was the right place to expand footprints due to advancing technology, security and provided favorable business environment.
“We chose to open doors to Rwanda as a country facilitating investment in different areas with advancing technology. Rwandans will benefit from our world class health services closer to their homes at reasonable cost. Our presence will also reduce the time it would take patients waiting for radio imaging results,” Dr. Elmetwally said.
The facility is expected to begin operations on 28th January 2022.
