They include Jean Claude Murwanashyaka,30, and Olivier Bunani, 37, who were arrested in Buhande Village, Gasiza Cell, Bushoki Sector with 1,000 pellets of cannabis. One only identified as Musabyimana was also apprehended in Gatimba Village, Bugaragara Cell, Shyorongi Sector in possession of 300 pellets.
The District Police Commander (DPC) for Rulindo, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Pacifique Semahame Gakwisi said that the suspects were arrested as part of the ongoing Police operations targeting smugglers and drug traffickers.
“Murwanashyaka was at the time transporting the narcotics on a motorcycle ridden by Olivier Bunani, heading to City of Kigali from Musanze District, but Police intercepted them in Buhande, Rulindo District following credible information on their criminal dealings,” CIP Semahame said.
He added that Musabyamahoro was at the time traveling in a bus to Kigali from Rubavu District.
“Musabyamahoro, who had boarded a bus from Rubavu to Kigali was identified and arrested at a Police checkpoint in Shyorongi Sector. He had concealed 300 rolls of cannabis in his luggage,” the DPC said.
Musabyamahoro claimed that he was also hired by another drug dealer in Rubavu District to deliver the narcotics to a client, whom she did not disclose, in Kigali.
Similar targeted and random operations across the country continue to reap big in breaking chains of drug traffickers and local retailers.
CIP Semahame warned against such criminal practices. He further cautioned taxi-moto operators against transporting or facilitating drug dealers.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Bushoki and Shyorongi stations.
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.
Cannabis is listed among very severe drugs in Rwanda.
The motorists were found either driving or riding while drunk. They were found intoxicated beyond the limit of 0.8 blood alcohol content.
The spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety (TRS) department, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere said that these are part of the Police operations across different roads of the country to prevent major causes of accidents.
“Driving while drunk is among the identified major causes of accidents and Police always remind motorists to avoid such deliberate traffic violations to save lives. Those who do not want to listen like these, will be arrested. The message is, do not drive when you drink,” SSP Irere said.
He advised motorists to change their behaviours and attitudes to be safe and to ensure the safety of other road users.
The purpose of their visit was to conduct a study tour of officer basic training in Rwanda.
On 18th January 2022, they visited Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters and were welcomed by the MOD Director General of Policy and Strategy, Maj Gen Ferdinand Safari and Chief J3, Col Chrysostom Ngendahimana on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff.
At RDF HQs the Egyptian Military Academy delegation was accompanied by their Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Brig Gen Hesham Rammah.
Maj Gen F Safari commended the existing defence cooperation between Egypt and Rwanda, welcomed and wished them good stay in Rwanda.
From 18th to 19th January 2022, the Egyptian Military Academy Delegation attended Officer Basic Training sessions at Rwanda Military Academy- Gako, where they interacted with the Academy Staff and explored the conduct of officer cadets training.
During their stay, the Egyptian officers also paid tribute to the victims of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and visited the Campaign against Genocide Museum at Parliament.
Egyptian Armed Forces and RDF maintain good cooperation particularly in the field of military training.
In May last year, the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Lt Gen Mohamed Farid visited RDF held bilateral discussions with the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen J Bosco Kazura at RDF Headquarters, Kimihurura.
The delegation was received by the Joint Task Force Commander (JTFC) Major General Innocent Kabandana accompanied by RSF senior officers.
The JTF Commander briefed them on general security situation and RSF operations against the terrorists in Cabo Delgado Province.
Maj Gen Kabandana appreciated the existing collaboration and cooperation between RSF, SAMIM and FADM in the operations that have enabled the achievement of some good results.
He reiterated the need to plan and conduct joint offensive operations to dismantle the main terrorists’ bases in Chai Macomia and others in Pundanhiar and Nicha de Ruvuma.
In his remarks, the Chief of South African Defense Force General Rudzani Maphwanya said that the purpose of his tour in Mozambique was to visit SAMIM troops deployed in the Cabo Delgado Province and take the opportunity to visit RSF leadership who are also deployed for the same mission.
Gen Maphwanya commended cooperation between the forces in the operations namely; RSF, FADM and SAMIM and urged commanders on ground to sustain existing good collaboration in a bid to defeat the terrorist remnants in Cabo Delgado.
This would ensure the continuous return of the population to their homes and support them to revive social economic activities thus paving way to long lasting peace.
The CDF SANDF who is also the Chairman of the SADC Troika Chiefs of Defence reiterated that recent SADC Chiefs of Defence meeting recommended additional resources to SAMIM which will enhance the forces’ operational capacity.
He also noted the need for joint planning and expeditious execution of joint operations in order to defeat the terrorists reported in various areas.
As a densely populated city abuzz with different economic activities including trade, tourism and transport among others, Kigali needs thorough policies to keep going green despite the steadily growing population.
Technology is believed to be the key enabler to transform waste and water management to reduce threats to human population and the environment.
With its ambitions to design tech-enabled solutions to transform waste and water management, Kigali City participated in the ‘2021 Bloomberg Global Mayor’s Challenge’ aimed at supporting “the most ambitious ideas developed by cities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Recently, it emerged among 15 cities that won US$1 million and multi-year technical support in the 5th edition of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge.
It was selected out of a total of 631 cities that had participated in the challenge.
Following the development, IGIHE caught up with the Mayor of Kigali City, Prudence Rubingisa to shed light on pitched project and how the grant will be utilized.
“The project is driven by digital innovation and promising to transforms residents’ livelihoods at a time when they are facing effects of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
{{Beneficiaries }}
The Rwf1 billion grant will be utilized to implement the city’s project to transform waste and water management, and tackle the threats created by increasingly intense rainfall through purchase of reservoirs for rain water harvesting and efficient collection of waste.
The project will be rolled out in the sectors of Gitega and Kimisagara particularly in the surroundings of Mpazi water drainage channel where residents from risky zones will be resettled to safer places.
These upgraded housing units will be built by Kigali city in partnership with residents whose land is used for formal settlements.
So far, 217 residents have been resettled in Gitega and Kimisagara while more 74 housing units are under construction.
Rubingisa has said that the project will help to collect rain water which will be purified for home consumption.
“They will be subject to new living conditions where they can use large quantities of water than before at relatively cheaper cost,” he said.
“Else, there is another option to collect waste from these homes using technology enabled solutions helping to monitor the level of waste and collect them once dustbins are full,” Rubingisa added.
A total of 1045 residents to benefit from the technology include those relocated from informal settlement known as Bannyahe in Nyarutarama to Busanza.
Apart from the grant, Rubingisa said that the city will receive experts to provide technical support for implementation of the project.
As Rubingisa explained, training residents on using the technology and having it deployed to different places will have been completed in three years.
“It has been also observed that the project provides job opportunities for segments of the population including the youth,” he said.
Citizens’ inclusiveness was among other aspects considered to select winning cities.
Rubingisa revealed that residents, particularly in Gitega and Kimisagara were highly eager to work with the City of Kigali to implement the project.
{{Nduba landfill}}
Nduba landfill was built in 2011 in Gasabo district following the closure of another dumpsite located in Nyanza of Kicukiro district.
It was later established the project’s design did not consider the landfill’s devastating impact on the environment.
Kigali City says that a new solution has been designed address the problem by turning the wastes into energy or fertilizers.
Rubingisa has explained that the project’s study was completed waiting for an investor for implementation phase.
“The feasibility study for the project to turn biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes into energy or fertilizers, has been completed to determine the number of tons or kilograms of wastes collected from our homes. The study was done in consideration of the growing population in the city and projected situation in the next 30 years. We will have enough wastes to produce energy or fertilizers,” he affirmed.
Rubingisa disclosed that the tender to exploit Nduba landfill will be offered in February.
“We expect to have an investor to engage in discussions and sign agreement by the end of February so that the Nduba landfill can be exploited in coming days,” he said.
The City of Kigali also plans to address the issue using dustbins fitted with technologies helping to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes sending notifications to waste collection companies when they are full.
Tite Singuranayo, 40, and Theoneste Tuyizere Theoneste, 32, were arrested on Tuesday, January 18, in Rurembo Village, Nyiravugiza Cell, Manyagiro Sector as they were handing over the money to the officers, who were handling the case.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaston Karagire, the District Police Commander (DPC) for Gicumbi, said that Singuranayo is the producer and seller of illicit brew called Inkangaza, who had earlier that day escaped Police arrest for the alleged crime.
Tuyizere is also the executive secretary for Nyiravigiza cell. The DPC said that this was part of the operations to fight production, sell and consumption of illicit brew.
Singuranayo, he explained, owns a bar which sells the illicit drinks, and during the operation, he managed to flee.
“Later, Tuyizere, a friend to the suspect, approached Police officers, who had conducted the operation asking them to allow Singuranayo to continue selling the harmful drinks. Tuyizere later came back with Singuranayo, they had Frw43,500, which they tried to give to the officers but they were arrested in the process,” SSP Karagire said.
SSP Karagire warned against such criminal mindset and advised the those engaged in related unlawful businesses to find productive activities instead of wasting their opportunities leading to serving many years in prison.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Cyumba station for further legal process.
In article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption, 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.
Article 5 of the Ministerial order Nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws; on the list of simple narcotic drugs.
Article 263 of the law determing offences 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, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not more than ten years and a fine of not less than Rwf5 million and less than Rwf10 million in regard to “simple narcotics.”
They include the duo of Patrick Ngarukiye, 33, Alex Musangwa, 34, suspected of vandalising and stealing electricity and speed enforcement camera cables, who were arrested in Kicukiro District.
The third suspect identified as Gaspard Manirafasha, 33, a dealer in hardware, was arrested in Rwezamenyo Sector of Nyarugenge District after it emerged that he was buying the cables from the duo.
The RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that these were acts of destruction of public infrastructure and affecting public safety.
“Such acts affect public safety because the vandalised electricity cables led to power outage in the affected homes. The same with speed enforcement cameras, which are meant to ensure public safety on roads but were disconnected because of this vandalism. These are deliberate acts of destruction of public infrastructure affecting national security and development,” said CP Kabera.
“These suspects were arrested after a month-long joint investigations. They were also found in possession of uniforms, belts and helmets meant for technicians of Rwanda Energy Group (REG).”
He urged the public to protect these infrastructures to report such criminal acts.
The suspects were handed over to RIB for further legal process.
Article 182 of the law determining offences and penalties states that any person who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three (3) years and not more than five (5) years with a fine of not less than three million Rwandan francs (Rwf 3,000,000) and not more than five million Rwandan francs (Rwf 5,000,000).
Royal Balloon Rwanda operates two hot air balloons that can accommodate 4 to 6 guests. The Hot Air Balloon climbs as high as 100m to 1000m above the park’s scenic savanna-covered landscapes inhabited by the big 5 – namely, elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffaloes – and other vast species of wildlife.
Commenting on the new tourism experience, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of Rwanda Development Board, said: “We are pleased to partner with Royal Balloon Rwanda to add yet another exciting product to Rwanda’s adventure tourism experiences. We are committed to continue forging new partnerships and enable more investments in the tourism sector to exceed travelers’ expectations while sustainably contributing to conservation.”
Atilla Turkmen, Managing Director, Royal Balloon Rwanda expressed delighted for the partnership with Akagera Management Company and the start the hot air balloon activity in Akagera National Park.
“This is an outstanding example of how conservation can transform the natural habitat and lives of surrounding communities. With our experience in tourism of more than 30 years, we would like to align ourselves with Rwanda’s long-term sustainable tourism strategies. We hope that by introducing this new tourism activity, we will support conservation efforts and contribute to tourism in Rwanda.”
Ladis Ndahiriwe, Park Manager, Akagera National park also underscored that the “Hot air ballooning will give visitors an exciting new perspective of Akagera’s beautiful and unique landscapes while contributing financially to the conservation of the park. New jobs and forms of income are being brought to the community as well.”
Royal Balloon Rwanda is part of a tourism group which has been operating in the industry for more than 30 years. It operates hotels in Turkey and operates hot air balloon activities in several natural parks in Eastern and Southern Africa. Countries have embraced this activity to expand the itinerary of tourists and extend their period of stay.
{{About Royal Balloon Rwanda}}
Royal Balloon Rwanda is the first hot air balloon company in Rwanda operating in Akagera National Park with more than 30 years of experience in the tourism industry. For more information, visit www.royalballoonrw.com
{{About RDB}}
Rwanda Development Board is a government agency responsible for leading the country’s transformation to a dynamic global hub for business, investment, tourism and innovation. Its mission is to fast track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth. For more information visit www.rdb.rw.
{{About Akagera National Park}}
Akagera National Park is located in Eastern Rwanda. The park hosts Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and is the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. Akagera spans 1,122 km2 and has a rich diversity of habitats, including wetlands with forest-fringed lakes and papyrus swamps in the east, rolling Mutumba hills in the west and vast savannah plains in between.
This produces a variety of wildlife with 485 recorded species of birds and, after a series of re-introductions, the Big Five. Plains game roam throughout in good and growing numbers, and some of Akagera’s more elusive species include the swamp-dwelling sitatunga, shoebill stork and roan antelope. For more information visit https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/akagera/visit-akagera
The program aims to supply clean electricity to 100 million people by 2035. It will raise funds from the public and private sectors for clean energy investment with guidance and coordination from the UAE’s MoFAIC and Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The ambitious initiative builds on the UAE’s longstanding and deep ties with Africa and will be a focal point of the country’s efforts to contribute towards the global sustainability agenda over the next decade.
Commenting on the initiative, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “United by economic, cultural, political, and people-to-people ties, our two regions are inextricably linked, with enormous potential for further cooperation in the years to come. One of the keys to unlocking that potential, supercharging Africa’s economies, and allowing millions of people to contribute to building a prosperous continent is electricity– specifically, renewable energy.
As the proud host of COP 28 next year, the UAE is committed to partnering with Sub-Saharan African nations to achieve sustainable development and promote the welfare of the larger region by advancing together in the field of renewable energy.”
Crucially, the Etihad 7 initiative will help African nations meet fast-growing energy needs without the corresponding surge in greenhouse gas emissions.
“With Etihad 7, the UAE consolidates its UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 efforts for Africa under a single initiative. In line with the UAE’s foreign policy and development goals, the program facilitates sustainable development by solving key challenges that hinder clean and affordable energy in emerging markets,” Sheikh Shakhboot added.
He further stated that ‘the robust relationship between the UAE and Sub-Saharan Africa is reflected in our partnerships and development projects. Today, the UAE has deeply invested in the prosperity and wellbeing of the entire African continent’.
“We will leverage our existing relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa, including diplomatic, humanitarian, and development cooperation, to share the UAE’s renewable energy expertise to advance economic and human development,” Sheikh Shakhboot stressed.
He also revealed that the UAE already has a number of agreements in place with Sub-Saharan African partners under Etihad 7 to join them in pursuing their clean energy and economic aims.
“Etihad 7 is a truly collaborative program, one that acknowledges and adapts to the needs and requirements of our partner nations…The UAE deeply appreciates the contributions of all African nations in this shared journey of development, and we in the UAE look forward with enthusiasm and optimism to a future in which our countries channel our cooperation into creating new avenues for our peoples to thrive,” Sheikh Shakhboot concluded.
The visit was considered a step further towards normalizing bilateral relations that worsened in 2015, subsequently, halting free movements through the closure of two main borders namely; Nemba and Akanyaru that connect the two neighboring countries.
They are additional to small border points in Nyaruguru, Gisagara and Rusizi districts.
The two main borders were used by cargo cars, public buses, private cars and pedestrians involved in informal cross border trade.
Even though, citizens from both countries have been raising concerns over losses related to the closure of borders for over six years, officials are optimistic that the situation might return to normalcy in the near future.
Speaking to IGIHE recently on 8th January 2022, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda said that having ground for discussions between both countries on issues that resulted into the closure of borders should give hope.
“The future is brighter. Discussions are being held gradually to find solution for issues that ruined relations,” he said.
{{Hope to reopen borders }}
Mukuralinda has attributed the delayed opening of borders to different reasons including ongoing discussions and COVID-19 related challenges.
“We should not forget effects of the pandemic. Borders cannot be opened haphazardly. There are numerous considerations to take into account. They can also be closed due to pandemic related reasons considering efforts expended in adherence to preventive measures on each side not necessarily linked to other issues,” he disclosed.
Mukuralinda expressed optimism that such issues will be fixed in the near future to reopen borders and revive free movements.
“I am confident that the problem will eventually be solved to reopen borders because no country can stand on its own […] It is apparent that both countries’ heads of state are making possible efforts to settle lingering problems to normalize the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Spokesperson has stressed that both countries’ people need to abide by existing norms waiting for the reopening of borders.
“They need to be patient. Sometimes, mending political issues and foreign affairs might be attained through a long process compared to citizen’s expectations. It must be thoroughly planned for to provide long-lasting solution,” he said.
Figures from the Ministry of Trade and Industry show that industrial output exported to Burundi dropped by almost 40% between 2014 and 2015.
In 2014, Rwanda’s exports to Burundi were estimated at US$20 million, a number that has reduced to US$12 million.
Rwanda had exported to Burundi goods worth US$21.6 million in 2013.
Else, Rwanda imported agricultural commodities from Burundi including seeds, sardine fishes and traditional cooking oil known as ‘Amamesa’ and exported maize, wheat and cassava flour as well as sweet potatoes and milk.
{{Political will}}
There has been a commendable progress to restore relations since General Évariste Ndayishimiye was elected Burundi’s President in 2020.
Towards the end of August 2020, both countries’ heads of military intelligence met at Nemba One stop border post to discuss issues of security along their common border.
The discussions were held under the auspices of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), a regional military framework under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and was aimed at finding solutions on security incidents along the common border that have strained the relations between the two countries.
The Heads of both the Rwandan and Burundian delegation said the meeting was a good opportunity for exchange on the existing security problems and finding solutions and will contribute to bring trust between the two countries.
In October 2020, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dr. Vincent Biruta met with his Burundian counterpart Amb. Albert Shingiro and his delegation at at Nemba where they expressed willingness on restoring bilateral ties.
Last year in October 2021, Governors from Rwanda and Burundi held discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation between both countries.
During the same year, Burundi handed over to Rwanda, 11 combatants of the National Liberation Front (FLN) apprehended on its land.
Through the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) also handed over 19 combatants of RED-Tabara to Burundi. RED-Tabara is an armed group hostile to the Burundian government.
Among others; Premier Edouard Ngirente joined Burundians during celebrations of 59th Independence anniversary in July 2021.
At the time, President Ndayishimiye revealed that the representation of Rwanda during the ceremony induced pride to Burundians and considered it the beginning of a new page for both countries relations.
“I would like to let you know that this day is memorable to Burundians. I am pretty sure that no Burundian is unhappy today because our neighbors from Rwanda have come to stand with us,” he said.
Ndayishimiye told Premier Ngirente that the visit to Burundi impressed Burundians considering tensions that existed between both countries.
“Your coming has impressed Burundians due to tensions that have characterized both countries. I would like to tell you that we have a common saying both in Kirundi and Kinyarwanda […] Agafuni kabagara ubucuti ni akarenge [friendship is reinforced by reciprocal visits]. Today’s visit conveys a meaningful message,” he said.
As he addressed participants of the RPF extended National Executive Committee meeting in May 2021, President Paul Kagame also expressed optimism for normalized relations between Rwanda and Burundi.
“We want to live peacefully with Burundians, and Burundi has also shown the willingness to do so.”
Speaking to IGIHE recently, Mukuralinda said that both leaders willingness is promising for relations to go in right direction.
“The most important thing is to have the issue discussed at different levels including heads of state. The President of Rwanda might be in touch with his counterpart of Burundi as ministers of foreign affairs do the same. This is an addition to the presence of embassies,” he said.
“Citizens should be optimistic about the situation because issues are being discussed to find common ground. Most importantly, both parties tell the truth. Rwandans and Burundians express their concerns and sit together to discuss the way forward,” Mukuralinda added.
