Southern Province has been identified as the major hotspot for new infections where 112 of new cases were found.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 24262 have been tested positive of whom 22 649 have recovered, 1285 are active cases, 6 are critically ill while 328 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 349, 702 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide vaccination program on 5th March 2020.
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.
Of the US$30 million, $15 million is a grant while $15 million is a credit to be repaid within 38 years.
The financing agreement was signed on Thursday 22nd April 2021 between Rwanda and the World Bank. Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande Pryce.
The financing will enhance development effectiveness by addressing emerging needs, such as improving access to oxygen therapy, screening for underlying chronic conditions and protecting essential health services.
It will also bolster the capacity of the routine immunization system through investments in human resources, vaccine safety and monitoring as well as outreach activities and communications to sustain vaccine acceptance and uptake.
Minister Ndagijimana has said that the funds will help the Government of Rwanda to cover 60% targeted to be vaccinated by 2022.
“The Government of Rwanda has established integrated system to mitigate COVID-19 effects on the economy of livelihoods of Rwandans. We need to vaccinate at least 60% of the population to fully recover the economy and bring the situation to normal. The funding is a great contribution to achieve this goal,” he said.
This is the second additional financing for the Rwanda COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, bringing a total of $45.19 million in World Bank contributions to the country’s national COVID-19 health response and vaccination campaign.
Rolande Pryce has said that the World Bank is pleased to partner with the Government of Rwanda in COVID-19 vaccination rollout highlighting that it is the foundation for the Government’s program to save people’s lives and fully resume economic activities towards sustainable and inclusive development.
“Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Rwanda has acted swiftly and decisively to save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the crisis with strong results on the ground. The World Bank is pleased to support the government, in collaboration with other development partners, to undertake one of the boldest public health campaigns of our times that aims to vaccinate 60 percent of the population by 2022,” she said.
“The vaccination program is a central piece of the government’s comprehensive plan to save lives and facilitate full reopening of the economy, putting the country back on a path towards more inclusive and sustainable growth. We are privileged to partner in this effort,” added Rolande Pryce.
Rwanda began countrywide vaccination program on 5th March 2021 after receiving 392, 000 vaccine doses through COVAX initiative and donation from India. Since then, over 349,000 people have been vaccinated.
The vaccines were rolled out starting from people whose lien of duties puts them at risks of catching Coronavirus including health workers, security personnel, and journalists as well as people with chronic diseases.
These prosecutors include 2 national prosecutors, 6 prosecutors at intermediate level as well as 15 prosecutors at primary level.
After receiving their oaths, Prime Minister wished them all the best in their duties.
He reminded them of the importance of their work and significant role in ensuring the law enforcement and justice for all. He urged them to uphold professionalism in fulfilling their duties.
Premier also called on the prosecutors to use well the powers conferred on them to conduct in-depth investigations and ensure that cases are well prepared before filing them in courts.
He also assured the Prosecution that the Government of Rwanda will continue to provide all necessary support to help the Prosecutors better fulfill their responsibilities.
These remains were buried decently yesterday during a ceremony to commemorate Tutsi killed in Gishubi sector for the 27th time.
Some genocide survivors have revealed that burying their relatives decently soothes their hearts.
“We had buried these remains in 2002 in different graves. Burying them in a decent memorial at district level appeases our hearts because we are assured that relatives have received the honor their deserve,” said Innocent Rugayi.
Despite dark moments they went through, Genocide survivors in Gisagara district attest that they have become resilient people who continue to soldier on along the development journey.
“We have attained a remarkable progress along the resilience journey. President of the Republic has introduced inclusive policies promoting education that our children study easily at schools closer to our homes. The Government supports our development, has given us cows milked for children. Our livelihoods have improved,” Janvière Karugara.
The President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors in Gisagara district, Jérome Mbonirema has said that they continue to mobilize people to reveal whereabouts more genocide victims were dumped to begiven decent burial.
The Vice mayor for social affairs in Gisagara district, Clemence Gasengayire has explained that discussions are continued with genocide survivors so that remains of victims laid in old graves can be relocated to the district’s memorial.
Kabuye memorial is home to 50,000 remains of genocide victims including recently relocated ones.
Residents from Mwogo in Bugesera district are among witnesses with stories of transformations considering how kitchen village has improved their children’s livelihoods following cooking demonstrations during which they are acquainted with best practices that drove down malnutrition and eliminated stunting are among children.
These parents have been assisted by community health workers trained by the Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).
Angelique Ahishakiye, a resident of Rukira village, Rugunga cell in Mwogo sector has said that her child had stunting issues and weighed 2 kilograms at the age of two.
Since she joined the village kitchen, her child’s health conditions has significantly improved that he is leading normal life.
“I used to poorly feed my child before coming here. I would mix sweet potatoes and beans thinking they are useful for my child’s growth. When community health workers visited me, my child had already developed malnutrition problems. I was not even aware that there are vegetables rich in nutrients that improve child’s growth,” she said.
“At the kitchen village, we are equipped with best cooking techniques. Before joining the village, I was careless that I couldn’t even wake up to prepare porridge for my child before going to work. I would feed him with cold sweet potatoes cooked last night. The situation has changed today. I prepare porridge in the morning and carry takeaways to feed my child with hot meal in the garden. The child’s conditions have significantly improved that he weighs eight kilograms,” added Ahishakiye.
Josephine Mukandayisenga residing in Gisaso village, Gitaba cell has also revealed that her child was underweight with 5 kilograms when she was aged one year and half.
“My child’s health conditions were deteriorating due to poverty and lack of skills to prepare balanced diet. I have learnt that it does not take huge amounts of money to balance diet. With Rwf 500, I can properly feed my child. I have learnt a lot from cooking demonstrations within the past few days since I joined the kitchen village. As a result, my child has significantly improved, increased weight that I will do whatever it takes to keep the pace,” noted Mukandayisenga.
Drocella Mukarwego, a community health worker in Misatsi village of Gataba cell has said that 68 children in Mwogo sector had malnutrition problems before the program started last year but mothers have been helped that the number reduced to 10.
“We have instruments helping us to detect if children have malnutrition issues or are underweight. It facilitates us to identify children in need of special attention. We bring parents at the village kitchen where they learn from demonstrations to prepare balanced diet. I also tell them nutrients contained in foods we are preparing so that they emulate practices at home being fully aware of what they are doing,” she explained.
The Acting Executive Secretary of Mwogo sector, Jean Muhoza has emphasized that kitchen village and early childhood development centers play key role in fighting malnutrition in the sector.
He also stressed that the sector closely follows up children to identify root causes of malnutrition or stunting to seek a durable solution.
Rwanda is among countries that have ambitious target to reduce malnutrition among children from 33% to 19% by 2024. The goal is expected to be achieved through continuously teaching parents to prepare balanced diet and take good care of their children.
The visit is part of community outreach programs to inspect implementation of development projects pledged under performance contracts and hear from citizens’ concerns.
During the visit held on Tuesday, Habitegeko was accompanied by officials from Western Province, Karongi district and security officers.
They also toured 2-kilometer road under construction in Karongi town.
The road is expected to facilitate movements along peripheries of Lake Kivu and connect hotels surrounding the lake.
Speaking to IGIHE, Habitegeko has revealed hat the visit was meant to witness the current progress of infrastructures being developed and seek ways to fast track implementation.
“We have been inspecting infrastructures as they are considered the foundation for investment in towns. Besides investment, residents also need basic infrastructures like roads and others,” he said.
The Governor also toured Karongi cross border market under construction in Ruganda. The market will be used by traders from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As he visited Rugabano model village, residents appealed for support to get fodder for their cattle.
The village is home to over 328 families comprised of 1000 residents.
“These residents have voiced appreciation to President of the Republic Paul Kagame who settled them in decent shelters. They are living in beautiful houses that some of them dwell in split level homes,” said Habitegeko.
“They however have some problems including lack of pasture. There are investors who provided land on which they can grow fodder but we are making arrangements so that we can find fodder to feed these cows donated by President of the Republic,” he added.
Among others, Governor Habitegeko visited hillside irrigation projects in the surroundings of Ndaba Rock and Rugabano tea plant.
The ceremony took place yesterday at RCS headquarters in presence of the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
The cabinet meeting of 14th April 2021 chaired by President Paul Kagame appointed Marizamunda as the RCS Commissioner General. He has served as the Deputy Commissioner General of Police (DCGP) in charge of Administration and Finance since 2014 prior to his new appointment.
Marizamunda was transferred to Rwanda National Police (RNP) from Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2014. He was at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the time.
The outgoing CGP George Rwigamba held office since March 2016.
The smugglers were at the time sneaking the goods into Rwanda through Ruhunda Village, Ngoma Cell, Gishyita Sector of Karongi District.
The suspects were coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by boat through Lake Kivu, according to the Western Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Boneventure Twizere Karekezi.
He identified the arrested smugglers as Pole Bantu Barume, 38, Salomon Ahad, 22, Samvura Ndayisenga, 28, and David Heri, 21.
“All the suspects are Congolese nationals, who were attempting to sneak the bales of used clothes and a sewing machine into Rwanda by boat, through Lake Kivu.
They were trying to cross to Ruhunda Village at about 6pm,” said CIP Karekezi.
The suspects disclosed that the goods belong to one Dieudonne, who hails from Mbuga Sector in Karongi District.
“Dieudonne is part of the group of smugglers, and two members of this group identified as Kayigema Bucyayungura and Nyangoma were recently apprehended over the same crime,” CIP Karekezi said.
The Western Region Spokesperson thanked residents for their continued collaboration with security organs to foil such illegal activities.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Bwishyura station while the exhibits were handed over to Karongi Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) for further management as security organs work together to locate the prime suspect, Dieudonne.
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods are auctioned.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.”
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Nyamagabe: 24, Kamonyi:20, Huye:18, Ruhango 9, Nyanza: 8, Nyaruguru: 7, Kigali: 5, Rusizi: 4, Muhanga 4, Rutsiro: 3, Karongi: 1, Gicumbi: 1, Gisagara: 1 and Nyamasheke: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 24112 people have been tested positive of whom 22579 have recovered, 1206 are active cases, are critically ill while 327 have succumbed to the virus.
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.
