The statement released last night shows that 143 people have caught the virus, one recovered while nine are critically ill.
The majority of new cases were found in Ngororero, Karongi, Gicumbi, Nyaruguru and Nyagatare districts.
A total of 1,646,980 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,105,087 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Police found the group past 11pm, during hours when bars and restaurants are supposed to be closed and everyone expected to be at home.
The bar and restaurant had been turned into a club with customers drinking and dancing.
Bonk bar and restaurant belongs to one Jean Marie Vianney Twiringiyimana, who escaped during the operation.
“Police was called in at about 11:10 pm to break the violations and noise at the bar where many people were converged, drinking. When Police officers arrived at the bar, the whole place had been turned into night club and people were also dancing,” RNP Deputy spokesperson, CSP Africa Sendahangarwa Apollo, said.
Immaculee Musabyimana, one of the arrested violators said that they were found at the bar at about 11:30pm.
“It was during curfew hours and what we did was inappropriate and in violation of the government directives against the spread of Covid-19, and ask for forgiveness,” said Musabyimana
According to the executive secretary for Kacyiru sector, Gertrude Urujeni, the bar had not been granted permission to reopen.
“The bar was not authorized to operate because we did not give them permission. There are specified penalties for such violations including closing the hospitality establishment and fines,” said Urujeni.
She warned against those operating bars without authorization adding that there is a committee in charge of inspecting bars to see if they are authorized to operate or complying with the directives.
CSP Africa also said that Police will continue to enforce the directives and warned hospitality establishments against disregarding the guidelines.
Located in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro, the company started in 2016; producing a variety of dairy products including yogurt, fermented milk, fresh cream, butter, ghee and other products for children and adults.
Masaka Creamery Ltd produces Masaka Yogurt (made of straw berry and vanilla) in pack sizes of 100; 150, 250, 400 and 500mililiters, 5 liters respectively as well as Masaka Yogurt (Natural) available in five-liter packages.
Other products including fermented milk are also made available in different pack sizes meeting consumers’ demand. The company also produces one kilogram Greek Yogurt, Fresh Cream, Mascarpone and Butter (salted /unsalted) and Cow Ghee.
The CEO of Masaka Creamery, Julie Igiraneza has explained that the company decided to change packaging materials (bottles) to bring innovations meeting customers’ satisfaction.
“We have made improvements in packaging materials but the product remained the same. It aligns with existing ambitions to continue innovating to meet the growing consumers’ demand,” she said.
Igiraneza assured customers that the quality of their products remains uncompromised and urged them to continue buying from different shops.
“Customers should not worry of the changes. The content remains the same. We just wanted to create a unique identity on the market,” she revealed.
Yvette Uwase, sales and marketing officer at the company has told IGIHE that making improvements was inspired by the idea to innovate and facilitating consumers.
“ It is of critical importance to bring innovations when you are delivering products to different customers to meet their satisfaction. It is under this context that we introduced new packaging materials,” she he said.
Uwase explained that the new design is more appealing than the previous one and reassured customers of continuous efforts to bring high quality products adhering to standards.
Masaka Creamery Ltd is Rwanda Standard Board (RSB) Certified which confirms the company adheres to standards.
The company also distributes its products to upcountry consumers, in Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Kayonza districts in Eastern Province, Rubavu district in Western Province, Rulindo and Musanza in Northern Province as well as Muhanga, Ruhango and Huye in Southern Province.
For more details, contact 0789911244 , email us on info@masakacreamery.com or visit social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@MasakaCreamery).
IGIHE has learnt that Masabo breathed the last in the morning of Monday 27th September 2021.
He died at King Faisal Hospital where he has been receiving medical attention.
Masabo served as the headmaster of LDK since 2000.
The school is located in Kiyovu cell, Nyarugenge sector of Kigali City. It was established by French Government in 1974 and handed over to Rwanda in 1982.
With ordinary level and upper secondary classes, LDK has so far graduated 6000 students including boys and girls.
He delivered the message recently during a meeting with residents of Bugeshi sector in Rubavu district where two young men and one woman were shot dead smuggling second-hand clothes to Rwanda through porous entries during night hours.
Habitegeko urged residents to comply with instituted regulations determining how trade should be done during times of COVID-19 instead of putting their lives at risk.
“Smuggling holds back national economy. Besides, it is saddening that smugglers cross through pathways used by enemies coming to threaten security. Despite ongoing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Government made possible efforts to provide trade opportunities and opened the border for you to continue trading with DRC counterparts,” he said.
“People cross the border in daylight but it won’t be easy for our soldiers to distinguish residents crossing around 2a.m from FDLR fighters maneuvering through the nearby valley to kill us,” added Habitegeko.
The Commander of Rwanda Defence (RDF) 3rd Division operating in Western Province, Maj Gen Alex Kagame advised Rubavu residents against smuggling as they are confused with enemies while crossing through military positions during night hours.
In the night of 23rd September 2021, Rwandan soldiers operating in Bugeshi sector shot dead three residents identified as Aime Twizerimana,24, Eric Hategekimana, 21 and Alliance Mukeshimana,32 Bugeshi who were smuggling second-hand clothes during night hours.
The incident took place few weeks after armed assailants suspected to be combatants of FDLR shot five cows in Rubavu district belonging to a resident identified as Jean de Dieu Twagirayezu.
The incident took place in Bereshi village, Hehu cell of Bugeshi sector during night hours around 10p.m.
Kagame extended the invitation on Sunday 26th September 2021 at the launch of China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
The biennial event is organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Hunan Provincial People’s Government.
Speaking at the launch of the expo, Kagame said that the platform deepens cooperation between Africa and China with the assistance of President Xi Jinping.
He revealed that Rwanda and Africa have started benefiting from the expo in consideration of secured business opportunities.
“We have already seen the value of this event. At the first expo in 2019, Rwandan companies secured rewarding trade deals, notably in the supply of specialty agricultural commodities to the Chinese market,” he said.
“This success has served to raise the ambition of our agribusiness sector even higher, and we appreciate the positive response by the Chinese consumers to Rwanda’s high quality chili, tea and coffee,” added Kagame.
The President also emphasized that the expo has coincided with 50 years anniversary of diplomatic ties between Rwanda and China.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Rwanda and the People’s Republic of China. Our firm intention is to deepen our relationship even further in the next half century of cooperation,” he said.
Kagame thanked organizers of the expo and invited Chinese to visit Rwanda.
“I wish to take this opportunity to commend the hosts of this year’s Expo: the leadership and the people of Hunan Province. The City of Kigali and Hunan Province are exploring mutually beneficial economic and educational cooperation, and we look forward to working with you,” he said.
“I wish to inform you that Rwanda grants a visa on arrival to all Chinese citizens. So, allow me to extend a sincere invitation to Chinese tourists to visit Rwanda and experience the excitement of unique wildlife and warm African hospitality,” added Kagame.
The President also commended Xi Jinping for the solidarity and support to the continent and Rwanda during COVID-19.
“ I wish to close with a word of thanks and appreciation to President Xi Jinping for the various forms of solidarity and practical assistance that China has extended to Rwanda and Africa in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. These actions testify the strength of friendship between Africa and China, and the importance of always striving to further improve our performance in joint endeavors, “he said.
The four-day event, online and offline, themed “New Start, New Opportunities, and New Accomplishments,” has attracted nearly 900 enterprises from nearly 40 African countries and China, according to the organizers.
The expo features exhibitions of the fruits of China-African economic cooperation, African brand commodities and specialty products such as coffee and nuts, with forums on cooperation in areas such as food and agricultural products, healthcare industry, financing, infrastructure and the private sector.
The event has a total exhibition area of 94,000 square meters this year. Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Senegal are the guest countries of honor.
First launched in 2019, the expo is a major platform for strengthening economic and trade cooperation between China and African countries.
The racket was arrested in Police operations conducted in the district on Saturday and Sunday.
Police also recovered six cows from the group, which are among those that were stolen from different people in the district.
All the cows were found in houses of some of the arrested suspects.
The acting District Police Commander for Musanze, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Speciose Kayitesi said that this was a “target operation based on credible information received from some residents in prime suspects.”
She identified those arrested as Celestin Maniraguha, 21, Francine Uwizeyimana, 24, Charles Uwabareka, 34, Samuel Mugarukira, 42, Felicien Uwimana, 38, and the duo only identified as Turatsinze and Turikumwenimana.
Two cows were found in Turikumwenimana’s house.
“All the suspects were located and arrested in Sarasi Village, Rwasa Cell, Gacaca Sector where the cows were found in their houses,” CIP Kayitesi said.
One of the suspects, Uwizeyimana, who was found with one cow hidden in one of the bedrooms, said that it was brought to her by Celestin Maniraguha.
“Maniraguha had promised to pay me Rwf10,000 every month,” said Uwizeyimana.
“Last week, we received complaints from different people, whose cows had been stolen on different days. Fortunately, the victims and some residents gave clues on individuals they suspect to be connected to these series of cattle theft,” CIP Kayitesi said.
“Police conducted the operations on Saturday and Sunday, and recovered six cows in houses of some of the identified suspects, and arrested seven suspected thieves. The thieves were hiding cows in bedrooms before slaughtering them to sell meat,” she added.
She said that operations are still underway to search for other stolen cows and to arrest other members of the ring.
Two of the recovered cows have so far been returned to the owners.
The seven arrested suspects were handed over to RIB at Muhoza station for further investigation.
Article 166 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person convicted for theft 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 Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167 the penalty for theft doubles if the theft is carried out during the night or by more than one person.
Police seized from the dealers assorted smuggled goods and banned products, worth of Rwf1.5 million. They include skin whitening cosmetics, boxes of cigarettes and food flavours.
Jolie Nyirasafari, one of those arrested for selling skin bleaching cosmetics, said that she was buying them from other dealers.
“Police found in Gisenyi market where I was selling outlawed cosmetics. I was buying them from other dealers, who traffic them into Gisenyi town from DR Congo through illegal borders,” said Nyirasafari.
One Hakim Hakizimana also admitted that he was selling goods obtained illegally and asked for leniency.
“I was selling two different types of salsa (tomato paste), which we get from DRC because they are banned here,” said Hakizimana.
The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the suspects were arrested as part of the launched countrywide operations against smuggling and dealers in outlawed goods.
“If you know that you are buying and selling illegal goods, beware that you will be arrested,” CIP Karekezi warned.
He advised traders to refrain from buying goods through illegal channels and to avoid selling banned products, which is punishable by law. He further disclosed that 36 people have so far been arrested in Western Province in the past six days.
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.
The statement released last night shows that 112 people have caught the virus out of 14529 sample tests, five recovered while 11 are critically ill. The positivity rate currently stands at 0.8%.
A total of 1,640,974 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,099,305 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Rwanda plans to have 30% of the population vaccinated by December this year and 60% by June 2022.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The official launch of communal hygiene exercise dubbed ‘Keep Bangui Clean’ organized by the city leadership, was presided over by Guillaume Ngobo, from the City of Bangui administration.
The city cleaning exercise was also attended by the joint Task-Force Bangui (JTFB) commander, Brig. Gen Ely M’Bareck Elkair.
Rwanda Protection Support Unit (RWAPSU) and Rwandan military batallions 8 and 9, all operating in the capital Bangui, took part in garbage collection, opening and cleaning water trenches, waste disposal and slashing bushy parts of the 1st and 2nd Arrondissements of Bangui city.
Ngobo thanked the Rwandan peacekeepers and Rwandan Diaspora for their continued support to restore peace, security and the wellbeing of the people of CAR.
Brig. Gen. M’Bareck from Mauritania also appreciated the cooperation and dedication of Rwandan peacekeeper to support and protect civilians.
“In peacekeeping operations, community policing and equally focusing on the health of the people is paramount,” said Brig. Gen. M’Bareck.
