The government directives require everyone to be home by 10pm.
According to the RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, the 102 people caught at Bauhaus Bar are among over 7,000 violators arrested across the country in the past 24 hours.
“Across the country, Police in partnership with local authorities arrested over 7000 people in varied violations. About 500 of them were found in bars, which were either operating without permission or working in prohibited hours, including the 102 arrested at Bauhaus bar in Nyamirambo on Saturday at about 1am,” said CP Kabera.
Erneste Kalisa alias Samusure, one of those arrested at Bauhaus bar, said that they were affected by the heavy rain prompting them to stay inside the bar drinking.
All the 102 violators were found inside the bar, which was operating behind closed doors.
Shadia Uwizeye, the manager at Bauhaus bar, admitted that they decided to close the doors to prevent being detected when it started raining.
“We were operating during prohibited hours because Police found us at about 1pm. It was a new year and we did not think that we would be caught. This will not happen again,” said Uwizeye.
The executive secretary for Nyamirambo sector, Claudine Uwera said that they got surprised when they found Bauhaus Bar operating with a big gathering inside and doors closed.
“While enforcing the government directives against Covid-19, we got surprised when we arrived at Bauhaus Bar which was operating behind closed doors with lights switched off, and we called the Police,” said Uwera.
CP Kabera said that those caught at Bauhaus bar had been warned earlier to go home before the curfew starts, but decided to undermine the directives intentionally.
He warned against such errand behaviours which contribute to further spread of Covid-19 infections.
All the violators were taken to Kigali stadium where they were educated on the health measures, tested for Covid-19 at own cost and handed administrative fines, accordingly.
{{Festive security situation}}
CP Kabera, however, said that despite such violations, the festive period was calm with no serious security incidents.
On the new year and eve of the new year, he added that four serious accidents were registered across the country.
Police in the country has identified the suspect as Masuzo Venus who was arrested on Thursday at Mponda Primary School during an operation police conducted after receiving a tip from well-wishers.
Malawi based media houses have reported that the suspect was found trafficking 18 bags of charcoal in a motor vehicle registration CZ 4963 Mazda Bongo.
Masuzo Venus is expected to appear before court soon to answer a charge of trafficking in forest produce without a licence.
During their stay, the peacekeepers also provided medical care services to people living around Lainya County. To date, 41 children and adults have benefited from different medical services.
The Temporary Operating Base was established on 13th December 2021 and will be maintained until end of January 2022.
Madam Geetha PIOUS, Head of Field Office at UNMISS Headquarters Juba, thanked Rwanbatt3 on the job done.
“People in LAINYA are happy with the TOB and appreciate Rwanbatt3 for providing medical assistance to them. People of Lainya received security during festive season and can now move without fear of attack, thanks to the TOB located near” she said.
RITF has grown by leaps and bounds becoming a strategic platform through which major businesses from around the world have penetrated the Rwandan market. This is made possible through organizing Business to Business meetings as well as Business to Government meetings.
The event mainly showcases products in various sectors such as ICT, banking and finance, agribusiness, arts and crafts, infrastructure, Automotive and general trading.
The recent trade fair which took place from 9th to 30th December 2021 at Gikondo Expo Ground in Kicukiro District of Kigali City, attracted new participants including the East African Business Council (EABC) headquartered in Tanzania.
Speaking to IGIHE; the Executive Director of the East African Business Council (EABC), John Bosco Kalisa has shed light on reasons that attracted the council’s participation and anticipated outcomes.
Kalisa revealed that he has had plans to promote the council’s visibility through participation in different exhibitions held in EAC, which he hopes are being attained gradually.
Kalisa was appointed the Executive Director in June this year. Following his appointment, the council has participated in three regional exhibitions including the ones held in Tanzania and Rwanda.
“The participation helps me to make a step further towards fulfilling my pledge for citizens of the East African community. We also plan to attend more exhibitions in other EAC member states,” he said.
Kalisa went on to explain that creating room for increased investments in one of EAC partner states EAC is part of the council’s mandate.
The participation in exhibitions is also considered an opportunity to lure investors where it has started yielding good results. For instance, Kalisa explained, it has received different businesspeople interested to become EABC members that some of them have started filling forms preceding their admissions.
“Many people miscomprehend EABC as the bloc for large businesses only which is not true. Small businesses are not excluded. Every willing trader is permitted to join. This is the kind of mobilization we have been carrying out at this expo,” he said.
Kalisa further disclosed that the campaign in partnership with host countries has been fruitful evidenced through attracted new countries.
“EABC has conducted mobilization in partnership with Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation. You have seen that this expo has attracted Mozambique, the democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania. Such sensitization is usually a result of joint efforts between EABC and the host country,” he underscored.
EABC was established in 1997 with the mandate of representing and promoting the interests of the EAC business community, provide value-added services that enhance trade and competitiveness, and to participate actively and positively influence legal and regulatory formulation to improve the business environment.
It also seeks to reduce trade barriers in the region.
Commenting on his projections, Kalisa said that he has very challenging projections to take the council to greater heights and expressed optimism to have them achieved within his five-year tenure.
“If God grants me more days of life, I intend to raise the intra trade within EAC from 15% to 40%. It is a hard task to achieve but I believe that God will give me strength to make it happen,” he stressed.
The Bank of the Year Awards celebrates the best of global banking and are regarded as the industry standard for banking excellence. The 2021 edition highlights those institutions that have taken a lead over their peers in terms of performance, strategic initiatives and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Equity Bank Rwanda was recognized for its solid commitment to the country’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) community during a challenging year for the country’s economy.
In the period under review, Equity Bank Rwanda increased its Tier 1 capital by 27% from Rwf 36.2 Billion in 2019 to Rwf 46 Billion in 2020, assets grew by 25% from Rwf 276.1 Billion in 2019 to Rwf 345.3 Billion in 2020, and net profits by 20% to a double digit of Rwf 11.1 Billion from Rwf 9.2 Billion from the previous financial year. To demonstrate a healthy portfolio, Equity’s non-performing loan ratio reduced to 3.58% compared to 3.99% in 2019.
According to The Banker, the 2021 edition of the awards set out to recognize institutions that have risen to the challenge and come through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger and more resilient. Banks have reacted quickly, changed their ways of working and how they deliver services to customers.
Importantly, institutions have rethought their purpose and role in society, effectively supporting the business and financial interests of their customers when needed most.
While acknowledging the win, Equity Bank Rwanda Managing Director, Hannington Namara said, “We are greatly honoured and humbled to receive this recognition of Bank of the Year Rwanda 2021 award by The Banker. The award is a clear demonstration of a bank that remains relevant even during the trying times. A testament of operating true to our commitment to provide inclusive financial services that transform livelihoods, give dignity, and expand opportunities for wealth creation.”
The performance was mainly driven by strategic initiatives that were positively impactful to the society during the pandemic year.
The Bank established partnerships with Enterprise Partner Solutions (ESP) and Mastercard Foundation in the creation of a COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience program which committed US$2.5 million to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism and hospitality sector being one of the hardest- hit sectors.
This is in line with the business focus on being at the frontline in building the economy better and stronger. So far, the program has supported 120 SMEs in the two sectors both financially and technically at all stages of maturity, plus their value chains.
The Bank further supported SME customers affected by the COVID-19 through loan restructures and signed a $10M guarantee agreement with African Guarantee Fund to cover 50% of all SMEs exposures that were restructured including new SME loans.
This was in a bid to support the SMEs business to recover with resilience.
Plans are also in place to partner with all UN organisations in Rwanda and other partners willing to work with the Bank to support customers recover. These include partnerships to support the young people through the Young Africa works program in deal Mastercard.
To ensure seamless digital operations, and to boost its trade finance offering and in compliance with the Government’s law N° 63/2007 to stop any manual tendering, Equity got an off-the-shelf solution to automate the processes. This has shown a rise in compliance and more SMEs are using the platform. In addition, the Bank has created several trade finance products that target SME customers and retail markets.
The Bank continues to lead in digital transformation journey through innovation.
Equity Rwanda upgraded its Eazzy Suite, which include EazzyBanking App, Equity USSD *555#, EazzyNet, EazzyBiz, EazzyLoan and EazzyAPI that have delivered an unmatched increase in use over time. By end of 2020, 92% of all transactions were conducted outside brick and mortar. Leveraging off technology, local offerings are availed to a global setting through Diaspora Banking department to individuals working and living abroad.
Through EazzyNet Online, EazzyBanking App and Fintech integration with International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) who include World Remit, Ria, Transfast, Terra, Hello Paisa, Wave, Small world, Money Gram, Western Union, Home Send, Thunes, Ping express, and PayPal. These enabled Diaspora remittances to rise by 378% in 2020 from Rwf 13Billion to Rwf 62Billions while commissions grew by 330% from Rwf 162Million to Rwf 697Million in the same period.
The Bank envisages that the trends will continue to disrupt thus the strengthening of technology capabilities through increased investments in specialist human and technological resources to ensure cutting edge products and services.
The Bank of the Year Awards 2021 by the Banker, a monthly international financial affairs publication owned by The Financial Times Ltd, is a continental awarding showpiece that recognizes and acknowledges excellence in the banking sector drawn from the world’s leading financial institutions. They are judged on their ability to deliver returns, gain strategic advantage, and serve their markets. In 2020, Equity Bank’s South Sudan, DRC and Rwanda subsidiaries emerged winners in the Bank of the year category.
{{About Equity Bank Rwanda}}
Equity Bank Rwanda began its operations in 2011 and is registered as a commercial bank by the National Bank of Rwanda. The Bank has its Head Office located in Kigali, with a foot-print of 15 branches and is supported by 3173 agents, 1861 merchants and a network of 22 ATMs.
Equity Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Plc, a financial services company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. In addition to Equity Bank Rwanda, the Group has banking subsidiaries in, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia. It has other subsidiaries in investment banking, insurance, telecom, fintech and social impact investments.
Equity Group is the largest bank in the region in assets of Kshs 1.2 trillion (USD 12 billion). It is also the biggest bank in deposits, market capitalization of USD 2billion and with a customer base of over 15 million customers. The Group has a footprint of 337 branches, 58,756 Agents, 34,941 Merchants, 691 ATMs and an extensive adoption of digital banking channel.
The Banker Top 1000 World Banks 2021 ranked Equity Bank 754 overall in its global ranking, 62nd in soundness (Capital Assets to Assets ratio), 55th in terms of Profits on Capital and 20th on Return on Assets. The Banker’s Top 100 African Banks 2020 placed the Bank in position 7 overall among the top 10 Banks in Africa, 5th place on soundness, position 9 on growth performance, 8th on return on risk and position 6th in terms of profitability and on leverage category.
In the same year, Moody’s gave the Bank a global rating of B2 with a negative outlook same as the sovereign rating of the Kenyan government due to the Bank’s strong brand recognition, solid liquidity buffers and resilient funding profile, established domestic franchise and extensive adoption of digital and alternative distribution channels. Equity Group Holdings Plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya.
The bridge that had been completed in September was destroyed on 26th December 2021.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B Thierry has said that preliminary investigation identified suspects behind the destruction.
“Some of suspects interrogated revealed that they decided to destroy the bridge because their cooperatives called TITANIC and TUYIZERE IRIHO Ltd that transported passengers using boats had started encountering losses after completion of the bridge,” he said.
The suspects are detained at Rushashi RIB Post as investigation is underway with files pending to be transferred to the Prosecution.
These include shareholders of these cooperatives, managers, sailors and gangs hired to destroy the bridge.
The suspects face two charges including plot to commit a crime punishable by the article 20 and vandalism of a bridge punishable by the article 182 of the Law No 68/2018 of 30th August 2018 determining offences and penalties.
If convicted, suspects are liable to a jail term between three and five years and a fine ranging from Rwf3 million to Rwf5 million.
Dr. Murangira has reminded the general public that RIB won’t tolerate anyone vandalizing public infrastructures and urged them to provide information on time to prevent such crimes or hold suspects accountable.
Kigali City has through a statement revealed that the decision is meant to strengthen COVID-19 preventive measures in Kigali which has been identified as the major hotspot for new cases.
The daily report released by the Ministry of Health shows that 4339 people out of 7388 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past seven days are from Kigali City.
Residents have been reminded to continue adhering to instituted COVID-19 preventive measures.
Before the cancellation, Kigali City had announced that fireworks would be launched at five sites in Kigali including Amahoro Stadium, Bumbogo Hill, Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali Marriott Hotel and Mont Kigali.
Fireworks display was also halted last year due to sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
The hippo was shot on Thursday 30th December 2021 in Nyabugogo village, Rubumba cell of Kabare sector in Kayonza district.
The executive secretary of Kabare sector, Léon Karuranga has told IGIHE that there are still two more hippos that have been encroaching on residents’ crops for the past four years.
“The hippo dwelt in a dam between Rugunga and Nyabugogo often used by residents to water their crops. Initially, it was one hippo that encroached on residents’ crops. The district sought support from the military but efforts to kill it remained futile until the number increased to three,” he revealed.
Karuranga explained that the hippos have been destroying crops since 2017 where affected residents with gardens in the surroundings of the dam have been requesting for relocation of these hippos.
“Today, one of these hippos fell in apparent hole. As soon as residents alerted me, I approached soldiers who helped us to shot it. We were with park rangers and local leaders. The hippo’s carcass was taken to Akagera National Park to feed carnivores lest its flesh leaves residents in health risks,” he said.
It is said that farmers growing maize, beans, sweet potatoes and other food crops in the area have been claiming over animal encroachment since 2017.
Karurange said that local leaders will work with the park’s management to relocate the remaining species.
This comes after a number of motorists have been arrested for the same criminal acts.
On Thursday 30th December 2021, RNP paraded in Kigali, nine more taxi-moto operators, who were arrested for allegedly either modifying or concealing original letters and figures of their motorcycles’ plate numbers in order to avoid being detected and fined by the speed enforcement cameras.
Olivier Mizero, one of paraded taxi-moto operators told the media that he altered the plate numbers last month to avoid traffic fines.
“I concealed letter Z to prevent being detected and fined by the cameras because I had been fined twice,” said Mizero.
Daniel Sibomana also said that he applied removable colours to make the registration number plates less visible to the cameras.
Daniel Ngarambe, the head of the federation of motorcycle cooperatives said that such actions affect the image of their transport profession and a threat to the lives of people.
“When you modify your plate numbers, you forget that there could be another motorcycle with that number you have forged, who will received the message for the offence they did not commit,” said Ngarambe.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere, the spokesperson for the Traffic and Road Safety (TRS) department, said the suspects had changed or concealed the plate numbers, which amounts to crime.
“So far, we have arrested 16 motorcyclists in different operations, who modified their number plates of hid them to deliberately violate traffic rules, especially speeding,” said SSP Irene.
He added that some of these motorcycles are used in other criminal acts like snatching valuables from people at night, smuggling and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
“These are hi-tech cameras which can detect the discrepancies. Besides, there are different types of cameras on roads as well as the strong partnership with the public through information sharing. So, in one way or another, you will be identified and arrested to face the law,” SSP Irere warned.
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.
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.
ASOC seized quantities of assorted skin bleaching lotions from the home of Urukundo located in Rukingu Village, Kagugu Cell, Kinyinya Sector.
Uwurukundo revealed that she started selling the banned cosmetics three months ago. She added that she was being supplied two people, whom she did not disclosed.
“I was buying quantities of skin whitening cosmetics from one dealer operating in Gicumbi District, who was trafficking them into Rwanda from Uganda and others from another dealer operating in Nyamasheke District, who was sneaking them into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” said Uwurukundo.
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Africa Sendahangarwa Appolo, the RNP Deputy spokesperson said that the suspect was arrested following information provided by the local residents in Kagugu.
“Police have works with the public to identify and crackdown people, who deal in such outlawed products. Uwurukundo was arrested in the morning of Thursday at her home where she was operating her illegal business,” said CSP Africa.
CSP Sendahangarwa thanked residents who reported the suspect and called for stronger cooperation and reporting people, who sell skin bleaching products.
Side effects
The outlawed creams and oil brands contain chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone, which can cause liver damage, reduce resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, and increase anxiety, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
If it enters the bloodstream, it also results into fatal liver and kidney damage, although medics say the most immediate visible side effect is skin scarring.
Health experts confirm that prolonged use of corticosteroid creams and lotions can also decrease levels of collagen in the skin.
Collagen strengthens and supports the skin, and a reduced amount can increase the risk of striae commonly known as stretch marks.
{{ Legal framework}}
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.
