The Executive Secretary of Kigabiro sector, Egide Hanyurwimfura has told IGIHE that the body was seen on Wednesday 2th August 2021 morning.
“After finding the man dead inside his room, owners of the accommodation facility alerted us and the security officials. Investigation is underway to establish cause of his death,” he said.
The man is suspected to have committed suicide as he was found hanging with a rope around his neck.
Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) recently announced that 576 people committed suicide in the past two years.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 90% of people taking their lives have are victims of mental health disorders.
WHO also reports that 703, 000 people take their own life every year and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.
Among others, WHO reveals that Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and was the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally in 2019.
Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world where over 77% of global suicides occurred in low and middle-income countries in 2019.
Suicide is a serious public health problem which is preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. For national responses to be effective, WHO stressed the need for a comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy.
A joint venture of Tanzania’s AICL Group and Edinburgh Crowland Management Ltd yesterday signed a contract with New York and Dubai-based architect xCassia that will see the latter come up with architectural designs for what will be the tallest building in eastern, central and southern Africa.
When completed, the 70-storey building will be the second tallest in Africa behind Iconic Tower in Egypt, which covers a total area of 65,000 square metres, with two underground floors and 78 floors above the ground.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Zanzibar’s Minister of State in the President’s Office (Economy and Investment), Mr Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga, said the project was a big step towards building the isles’ blue economy.
“Its implementation supports the government’s efforts in inviting more local and foreign investors to the isles,” he said.
Crowland Management Ltd CEO Emmanuel Umoh said the building, to be known as Zanzibar Domino Commercial Tower, is expected to be an iconic feature that will facilitate tourism and culture and offer business opportunities.
“The Zanzibar Domino is a unique project which is exceptionally well-suited to our investment philosophy of providing our investors with superior returns through exceptional schemes as well as strategic socioeconomic projects that leverage prosperity, people and the planet,” he said.
According to the founder and design director of xCassia, Mr Jean-Paul Cassia, the idea to construct the building on a man-made island was a decade-long dream, and became a reality after a site and investors were found.
“First sketched in Paris in 2009 after my late father, two sons and I played a round of dominos, I dreamed of building this project for over a decade.
“Between its innate mathematical order and geometries found in nature, its pure lines and proportions that evoke growth, progress and freedom, it had all the bearings of an icon anyone could remember and draw on a paper napkin,” he said.
The amount to be invested in the project is almost Sh1.2 trillion more than Zanzibar’s 2021/22 total budget that was approved in June.
The Zanzibar House of Representatives approved a budget of Sh1.829 trillion in June.
According to a statement by xCassia, Zanzibar Domino Tower will be a key tourist spot, offering visitors, residents and businesses entertainment, culture and conferencing services.
Before Iconic Tower in Egypt became the tallest building in Africa earlier this year, the position was held by the 227-metre, 56-floor Leonardo Building in Sandton, South Africa.
After its completion in four years, Domino Tower will push Leonardo Building down to third place.
Locally, the tallest building in the country currently is Tanzania Ports Authority Tower standing 162 metres with 40 floors, while in East Africa the tallest is the Global Trade Centre, a 43-storey skyscraper in Nairobi.
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Linked by a high and low bridge structure, the development is planned over three key sites – the Arrivals Plaza, Zanzibar Domino and Island Resort, each with distinct identities, and will offer visitors a pathway in a seamless curated journey from arrival to destination.
The first part of the bridge is designed to fully enhance the experience of reaching the island from the Arrivals Plaza, the Zanzibar Domino Bridge provides the backbone to distribute all transport and key services.
Then the Zanzibar Domino which will be the center of the man-made island is located 1.5km off the main coastal road and radiates out over a 250m radius within which a marina is created to receive incoming yachts and tourism vessels.
The tower will comprise 560 units located in two branded residences that rise up towards the hotel apartments, a five and six-star hotel with a total of 360 keys, while other features such as resorts and wedding chapel can be accessed privately by either helicopter, boat or by bridge.
The man has been working as a security guard to prevent children from playing around the pond in which more than two people drowned recently.
The Acting Executive Secretary of Murundi sector, Benon Gashayija has told IGIHE that the man was found in the pond yesterday morning.
“He had a job to guard the Gacaca pond which accumulates water to irrigate nearby rice gardens. The man riding a bicycle skidded off into the pond during night hours as he crossed a bridge connecting Ryamanyoni and Murundi cells,” he said.
Gashayija explained that the deceased was first seen by residents who found him with a cell phone and Rwf30, 000 in pocket.
The sector executive secretary revealed that the body was taken to Gahini Hospital for postmortem as investigation is underway to establish circumstances under which he died.
A study conducted by three agriculture researchers on strawberry value chain and market assessment in Rwanda indicates that more efforts need to be put in place to promote the crop which is identified among the high value fruits promising to yield big and transform farmers’ livelihoods.
The study carried out by Straton Nsabimana, Dr. Fidèle Niyitanga and Dr. Fabrice Musana was funded by Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).
According to findings of the research released yesterday, at least US$1,964,000 (approximately Rwf2 billion) is needed to address challenges affecting strawberry farming related to inadequate knowledge in best farming practices, equipment for storage of produce and seeds.
The funding is also expected to cater for market expansion, extending research related to the crop and rolling out campaigns to encourage farmers to grow strawberries.
Dr. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has revealed that the Government is ready to support strawberry farmers to increase productivity considering the potential of the crop at the local and international market.
“The Ministry is mandated to ensure smooth execution of projects meant to benefit farmers. Through collaboration with the Netherlands, we want to introduce quality, high yielding and disease-resistant seed varieties,” he said.
“It requires funds to train farmers, provide capital and promote strawberry farming. That is why private sector investment is of critical importance. We want to design budget plan for farming of this crop to lay the foundation for farmers willing to grow strawberries,” added Dr. Ngabitsinze.
He explained that the ministry is making possible efforts to reduce current strawberry imports which stand at 63.7 tonnes per annum.
The owner of Entreprise Urwibutso, Gérard Sina who is also engaged in strawberries farming has emphasized that the crop doesn’t take long to harvest and is promising to yield big for farmers if best practices are embraced.
“Strawberry is a good crop that can transform farmers’ livelihoods in a short period of time because it only takes three months to harvest. I have been growing strawberries since 2000. I use the produce to make juices, yoghurt and other products that require strawberry flavours. A farmer growing strawberries is assured of improved livelihoods and cannot depend on hard labour. In good conditions, farmers harvest twice a week and are assured of a reliable market because they are contracted to supply the produce to our plant,” he said.
Sina stressed the need for thorough research to identify appropriate strawberry varieties to be planted in Rwanda for farmers to yield bigger returns.
Adelphine Ingabire, a Rwandan living in the Netherlands revealed that investing in strawberry farming is an optimal choice considering the high demand of the crop which is used for different purposes.
“There are many reasons one should stick to growing strawberry. It is not a popular crop in Rwanda but is highly rich in nutrients and doesn’t take long to harvest. Three months are enough for farmers to start supplying the market at competent price,” she noted.
Rwanda has five varieties of strawberries. Two of the varieties including Bravura and Furora were introduced from the Netherlands and are producing higher yields with quality fruits.
Having kicked off on Tuesday 24th August 2021, the 30th edition of FIBA AfroBasket which runs from August 24th to September 5th at Kigali Arena brought together 16 teams.
Rwanda is participating in the tournament for the sixth time.
According to Kawowo Sports, it was a back and forth affair to start the game but Congo assumed a quick 6-point (11-5) lead midway through the quarter that forced coach Cheikh Sarr to call for time. On return, Rwanda closed out the period with a 19-4 run.
The second quarter was square with both teams scoring 19 points apiece despite Rwanda assuming double-digit leads at several intervals but DRC never backed off.
Congo trailed by as many as 15 points at some point but drew level at 50 on Jordan Sakho’s three-point play with 2:10 to play in the third quarter.
The Congolese never fell far behind early in the fourth quarter but their failure to deal with Rwanda’s 2-1-2 fullcourt press was recipe for disaster as the hosts capitalized on the turnovers forced to pull away for the win.
Shooting guard William Robeyns led all scorers with 23 points to pace Rwanda. Dieudonne Ndizeye contributed 12 points off the bench while Kenneth Gasana stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals.
Point guard Maxi Shamba scored 22 points for DRC, Henry Pwono added 12 points while Sakho scored 12 points to go with 9 boards.
The two sides return to action on Thursday, August 26. DRC will face Cape Verde at 4:00 pm (EAT) while Rwanda will take on the record champions Angola at 7:00 pm (EAT).
The cooperation pact was signed on Tuesday, August 24, in Kigali between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and his Lesotho counterpart, Commissioner of Police Holomo Molibeli.
This was part of the bilateral meeting between RNP and LMPS held at the former’s General Headquarters in Kacyiru, which was also attended by the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza.
Commissioner Molibeli and his delegation are in Rwanda at the invitation of the host, since Monday for a week-long visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in policing between Rwanda and Lesotho.
The signed pact outlines key areas of cooperation, including partnership against terrorism, organized and transnational crimes; capacity building in community policing; exchange of information and expertise; as well as training opportunities and expertise development among others.
Other areas include development and exchange of training materials and curricula, combating proliferation of small arms and light weapons, timely exchange of information on criminals and criminal activities, and joint operations.
During the bilateral meeting, IGP Munyuza observed that the laid “stronger partnership” will explore ways in which the two institutions will collaborate, share expertise and information against transnational and organized threats to security and development.
“Your visit has come at the right time when the region is facing violent Islamic extremism such as terrorist activities in Cabo Delgado, Northern Mozambique. We shall be sharing information and intelligence since our two countries have forces fighting terrorists in Mozambique,” IGP Munyuza said.
In line with the established cooperation framework, IGP Munyuza reassured Rwanda’s commitment as a “reliable partner” and ready to move fast to identify and implement the priority areas, share advanced training programmes in crime investigation, crime intelligence and records management for the benefit of security and peace in the two countries.
Commissioner Molibeli, on his part, said that the visit and the signed cooperation agreement is a firm foundation and a step forward to ensure safety and security of the people.
He further commended RNP’s “inborn courage and unwavering support for global peace and cooperation.”
“We have strong belief that our interaction and cooperation will benefit both organisations in their endeavour to maintaining law and order in our countries, regions and beyond,” Commissioner Molibeli said.
He added: “Globalization has made access to information very cheap and easy hence this cooperation through which sharing of best policing practices, exchange of training programs, joint bilateral operations and sharing of information on issues of mutual interest shall all be exhibited. We can achieve and realize positive prospects in shaping for the better policing environments.”
Commissioner Molibeli, on his part, said that the visit and the signed cooperation agreement is a firm foundation and a step forward to ensure safety and security of the people.
He further commended RNP’s “inborn courage and unwavering support for global peace and cooperation.”
“We have strong belief that our interaction and cooperation will benefit both organisations in their endeavour to maintaining law and order in our countries, regions and beyond,” Commissioner Molibeli said.
He added: “Globalization has made access to information very cheap and easy hence this cooperation through which sharing of best policing practices, exchange of training programs, joint bilateral operations and sharing of information on issues of mutual interest shall all be exhibited. We can achieve and realize positive prospects in shaping for the better policing environments.”
Rwanda, he said, is a suitable partner for learning and development and that the partnership lies in the joint responsibility to make the world a better and safe place for human habitation and co-existence.
“Through this MoU… we establish a working frame for security, prosperity and dignity of our respective countries.”
Later in the day, the Lesotho Police Chief visited Kigali Memorial Centre where he laid wreaths to pay tribute to more than one million people killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
During the course of the week, Commissioner Molibeli is also expected to visit various RNP facilities including Police Training School (PTS) Gishari, National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District, Isange One-Stop Centre, Rubavu One Stop Border Post, and some of the Regional Police Units.
The statement released last night shows that 608 people have caught the virus, 16 recovered while 42 are critically ill.
A total of 445,107 people have been fully vaccinated while 1,157,725 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.
Today, Gen Mabeyo paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Defence, Maj General Albert Murasira and thereafter, held bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Gen J Bosco Kazura at Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Headquarters in Kimihurura.
In an interview, Gen Mabeyo said that this visit aims at strengthening cooperation between TPDF and RDF.
He added that it was a reciprocal visit to the recent visit by the RDF CDS Gen Kazura to Tanzania and stressed that such visits are a sign of the level of confidence and ‘mutual trust between our respective militaries’.
Among others, the TPDF Chief of Defence Forces and his delegation paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
He will also visit the RDF Command and Staff College and Kinigi IDP Model Village in Musanze District.
Following the approval of different types of vaccines by the World Health Organization (WHO), developing countries initially struggled to secure vaccine doses.
As days went by, some African countries started receiving COVID-19 vaccines through initiatives aimed at ensuring equitable distribution, even though the continent still lags behind the vaccination program.
Africa is using several types of vaccines, which were obtained in different ways.
African nations are both purchasing new doses and receiving them from other countries. Donations came from all over the world, such as China, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Russia.
According to Statista, a German company specializing in market and consumer data; the United Nations-led COVAX initiative already provided Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech doses to some African countries.
Within this program, the continent is supposed to receive a total of 600 million doses by December 2021 to vaccinate 60 percent of the African population by June 2022.
Latest figures from WHO show that some countries including the United States of America (USA) have vaccinated over 50% of their population while some African countries have not yet covered 10%.
It is reported that 32.7% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 24.6% is fully vaccinated.
5 billion doses have been administered globally while 33.56 million are administered each day.
Only 1.4% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.
On the African continent, Morocco has the highest number of vaccine recipients with 36.8% while South Africa vaccinated 8% of its population.
Rwanda is among African countries that have started administering vaccines since March this year starting with people whose line of duty puts them at risk of catching the virus.
So far, Rwanda has 432,429 fully vaccinated people since the exercise began.
On Monday 23rd August 2021, Rwanda started COVID-19 mass vaccination targeting all people aged 18 and above.
The mass vaccination campaign started with Kigali City expected to be extended countrywide later depending on available vaccine doses.
With the exercise in place, Rwanda has become the second African country following South Africa which also started mass vaccination for people aged18 years and above.
People below the age of 18 are not eligible for the vaccine as per guidelines from the World Health Organization.
According to health experts, Rwanda’s rolling out of mass vaccination is a great milestone to mitigate effects of the pandemic.
The State Minister in Charge of Primary Healthcare in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga has told IGIHE that the mass vaccination came after different phases targeting people in advanced ages, health workers, and people with chronic diseases among others whose duties expose them.
He explained that Rwanda has been handling the situation with unique approaches and expressed optimism for the situation to normalize in case a large segment of the population is inoculated.
“I think it is Rwanda’s unique approach considering expended efforts since the pandemic emerged in the country. A large number of positive cases was found among people in the age brackets between 25 and 39 of whom the majority live in towns,” he said.
“As a result, some parts of towns were placed under lockdown at different times which negatively affected the economy,” added Dr. Mpunga.
Kigali, which generates close to 50% of Rwanda’s national GDP, has been hit hard particularly and went into lockdown three times since the pandemic emerged in March 2020.
Dr. Mpunga has revealed that the mass vaccination program starting with the youth will pave the way for the resumption of operations given that a large number will have been immunized.
“We started vaccinating elders and the exercise is ongoing. We also found it necessary to target the youth among vaccine recipients so that we can recover the economy,” said Dr. Mpunga.
The third phase of COVID-19 mass vaccination targeting people aged 18 and above kicked off yesterday. It is expected to have covered 90% of Kigali City dwellers within two weeks.
Rwanda plans to vaccinate 30 per cent of the population by the end of 2021 and continues efforts to acquire sufficient doses through direct purchases and other arrangements, to ensure as many Rwandans as possible are protected from COVID-19.
Dr. Mutesa Leon, a lecturer of human genetics at the University of Rwanda has also welcomed the COVID-19 mass vaccination program considering it a milestone towards reducing the transmission of the virus.
In the Police operations conducted between February and August this year, RNP seized over 501, 600 pellets of cannabis from dealers, weighing 627kgs.
Also seized during the six-month operations include 523 sachets of Simba and 11 litres of Kanyanga, both banned illict gin and classified as psychotropic substances in Rwanda.
The narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances valued at over Rwf100.8 million, were disposed of on Monday, August 23, in Nyakiliba Sector, Gikombe Cell, Nyabibuye Village.
The public destruction exercise was presided over by local leaders, security organs, RIB and prosecution as well as few local residents to abide by the national Covid-19 prevention protocol.
According to the District Police Commander (DPC) for Rubavu, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Aphodis Gashumba, majority of the narcotics were seized from traffickers and dealers in Bugeshi and Busasamana sectors.
The two sectors lie on the borderline with the DRC and dealers use porous border points to easily sneak the narcotics into Rwanda.
“These are big quantities of narcotics seized in a short period–six months–and this was largely the impact of community policing. Because of the responsiveness of the public, we were able to know the identities of rackets involved, tricks they employ, trafficking routes and hide-outs,” SSP Gashumba said.
Deogratias Nzabonimpa, the vice mayor for Rubavu in charge of Finance and Economic Development embarked on the harmful side of abusing drugs and how it affects economic development.
“Millions of money were wasted in buying these narcotics instead of investing it in legal businesses to support families and contribute to the country’s development. The end result is long-term imprisonment which is another blow to dependants,” said Nzabonimpa.
According to medical experts, abusing drugs causes, among others, mental illness, heart, liver and kidney complications.
Nzabonimpa urged residents to continue sharing information on dealers and to support national efforts in breaking chains of supply.
Prosecutor Theogene Sibomana dwelt much on the legal repercussions for anyone caught in drug related crimes, including life imprisonment, and urged residents to protect their children from becoming victims by reporting drug dealers.
At least 48 dossiers involving some people apprehended with the narcotics in Rubavu have been handed over to prosecution, according to RIB.
The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.’’
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.
