“It is recommended to get two doses of this vaccine without long intervals because of the vaccine’s nature for a person to stay safe enough,” reads a statement released by the ministry.
The second AstraZeneca vaccine dose is administered between 8 and 12 weeks while the second Pfizer dose is supposed to be administered between 21 and 28 days.
Targeted people to be vaccinated will be communicated via short message. Anyone who received Pfizer dose can also call the toll free line on 114 or seek assistance from nearby health facility if the message is not delivered in due time.
The Ministry of Health has revealed that further updates on AstraZeneca dose will be communicated in coming days.
Health guidelines show that vaccinated people are also encouraged to continue adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures; wearing face masks, keeping social distancing, avoiding public gatherings and washing hands frequently.
These women were selected for their role in sensitizing farmers to use best practices in ther agricultural activities.
As per report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, farmer promoters and cooperative leaders play an important role in ensuring that best practices in agriculture are adhered to, hence enhancing productivity.
On average, a farmer promoter assists around 4,000 farmers. With these new smart phones, the beneficiaries will be able to easily access agriculture information and disseminate it to the farmers in their respective catchment areas.
Speaking at the handover event, Paula Ingabire; the Minister of ICT and Innovation said: “Agriculture being the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, women are great contributors to the growth of this sector especially in rural areas. In order to reach more development, women in agriculture should be placed at the centre of this transformation. Constituting more than 60% of the Rwandan agricultural work force, it is imperative that technology should not leave them behind in order for Rwanda to achieve great advancement in ensuring food quality and food security. We thank all our partners in this initiative.”
Prof. Jeannette Bayisenge; the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion also welcomed the partnership between the Government of Rwanda and MTN through which female farmer promoters are given smart phones.
“These smartphones will help them to remain at the forefront in their agricultural activities and contribute to their families’ welfare,” she said.
Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana; the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources highlighted that females heading farming cooperatives need to access information to facilitate their work.
“Now that they are equipped with the smartphones, they will be able to access and share information easily. This will help them to improve their agricultural activities,” she noted.
Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi; the Minister of Local Government thanked the President of The Republic for always striving for inclusive development noting that the smartphones should help beneficiaries to attain sustainable development.
Mitwa Ng’ambi, MTN Rwanda CEO expressed optimism that donated smartphones will drive beneficiaries into the digital world.
“We are glad to continue the Connect Rwanda initiative in partnership with the Ministry of ICT & Innovation, this time specifically focused on women farmers with the aim to empower them and their businesses, as we drive digital for a brighter Rwanda. As we wind down Women’s Month, we continue to recognise the importance women play in our economy and we are confident that these efforts to drive smartphone and internet penetration will make a difference,” he said.
Connect Rwanda Initiative was launched by MTN in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation in December 2019, with the objective of providing smartphones to unconnected households countrywide to leverage the digital economy.
The essence of the initiative is for private companies, government institutions and individuals to come together and drive the digital agenda to connect all Rwandans.
The participants in the programs are SMEs and startups in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, which have been receiving technical assistance through ESP’s Tourism Inc. and Komeza initiatives. Seventy-seven percent of the financial support aims to enable resilience and growth for 60 businesses that are part of Komeza, a relief initiative launched in July 2020 as part of the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP).
Commenting on the development, Charity Kabango, Co-Founder and Director of ESP expressed delight for support to these incredible entrepreneurs.
“Despite being severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the SMEs in Rwanda’s Tourism and Hospitality industry, have shown an incredible amount of resilience in not only surviving the crisis, but thriving beyond it. We feel fortunate to be in a position to assist with financing and strategies to enable them to pivot, innovate, and scale their ventures,” he said
ESP, strives to make opportunities such as Komeza and Tourism Inc. accessible to critical demographics in Rwanda and is proud to share that 65 percent of the funded SMEs are female-owned while 83 percent are youth-owned. The company strongly believes that supporting the current and future champions of the sector will be key to its resilience.
Rica Rwigamba, Country Head, Rwanda, Mastercard Foundation highlighted that it is deeply encouraging, and exciting, to see the ways in which entrepreneurs in this program have not just weathered the COVID-19 storm but taken it as an opportunity to innovate for the future, rethinking how they produce, market, and deliver their products.
“They are at the forefront of reimagining the future of tourism in Rwanda in ways that make it more profitable and sustainable,” he noted.
“We appreciate the excellent work that has been done by ESPartners and the Mastercard Foundation in supporting SMEs to become more resilient in the face of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Technical and financial support not only creates profitable businesses, but also promotes sustainability. With this support, we are hopeful that the sector is better equipped to recover as international and domestic tourism activities gradually resume,” emphasized Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board.
ESP designs its programs to deliver “Intelligent Capital”, the right combination of technical assistance and financial support needed for businesses to grow. These programs build on the broader commitment of the Mastercard Foundation and the Rwandan Government through the Rwanda Development Board to provide an enabling environment for innovative enterprises providing particular attention to women and youth.
Egide Butare, Managing Director of store2door Ltd, an e-commerce platform, which was developed by young entrepreneurs, both women and men expressed delighted for being part of the Komeza program.
“It is a life-changing and teaching moment that has helped us drive our business further, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technical assistance we’ve received through the program has equipped our team with key skills in planning and management and the funding has enabled us to become more resilient financially. The combination of both will undoubtedly contribute tremendously to the growth of our business. We are forever grateful for the support from ESP and the Mastercard Foundation for giving us the opportunity to be part of the Komeza program,” he said
{{About Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners}}
Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) aims to enable innovative, scalable, and profitable enterprises to build prosperity. Our mission is “to foster entrepreneurial solutions for prosperity.” ESP enables people, firms, institutions, and nations to articulate and implement solutions to their economic challenges.
ESP’s approach is to provide Intelligent Capital™—the right combination of insights and capital—to address critical societal issues. We provide consulting and strategy advisory services to diverse clients, including governments, businesses, and development partners in Africa. With offices in Abidjan and Kigali, ESP has been in operation since 2011.
{{About the Mastercard Foundation}}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.
It was revealed yesterday by the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije during a press conference on the state of COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda that also shed light on issued guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
The press conference took place at a time when people who received the first vaccine dose wonder when the second shot will be administered.
It is said that Pfizer or AstraZeneca doses should be administered twice for efficacy.
As per guidelines, people receiving Pfizer vaccines should get the second dose after 28 days while the second shot for AstraZeneca can be administered between 8 and 12 weeks.
Dr. Ngamije has said that approximately 290,000 people have received the first AstraZeneca dose that more 500,000 doses have been bought and expected to be used to vaccinate the second batch of people most vulnerable to catch the virus.
The date for arrival of these vaccines has not been revealed but IGIHE has learnt that the 500,000 doses were bought at a cost of US$ 1,650,000 (approximately Rwf 1, 568, 000,000).
“We are optimistic to receive the second dose of AstraZeneca because we have already bought 500,000 vaccine doses. We are waiting for delivery,” he said.
They will be an addition to more 744,000 vaccine doses, Rwanda will receive through Covax initiative expected to arrive in days ahead.
Seven people behind the series of theft and vandalism were also arrested during separate operations conducted in Gasabo District.
The arrested suspects include those, who were stealing the batteries from different towers and buyers.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that on March 25, Police first arrested four people with 32 batteries.
They include Emmanuel Kagiraneza alias Sekijene and Erias Bayavuge, who were arrested in Remera, Gasabo District with 11 batteries.
Others are Samuel Urayeneza and Eric Butera, who were arrested in Bumbogo also in Gasabo District with 21 batteries.
Kagiraneza and Bayavuge deal in scraps while Butera is a broker at IHS Rwanda.
“Following the arrest of the first four suspects, they disclosed that they are supplied by one Elissa Hategekimana. They further revealed that they sell the batteries to a company operating in Kigali Special Economic Zone,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “With the new information, Police arrested three other people, who were stealing the batteries from towers. They include the duo of Elissa Hategekimana and Jean Damascene Bigirimana alias Kayuku as well as James Ishimwe alias Rasta, all arrested in Nyarutarama, Gasabo District.”
The trio disclosed that on their part, they stole 20 batteries since January from towers in Kibagabaga, Remera, Kinyinya and Rugando, all in Gasabo District.
They further disclosed that they were selling them to Emmanuel Kagiraneza for Frw22,000, each.
“According to investigations, the suspects started vandalizing towers and stealing batteries in January this years; they revealed that they targeted IHS towers because they are not guarded.
Guarded or not guarded, that should not be the reason to vandalize public infrastructure and stealing the batteries, of which crimes they will face in court,” CP Kabera said.
The spokesperson added that operations are still underway to arrest all those connected to this ring and to recover other batteries stolen from towers.
According to article 182 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, “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 Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 21645 people have been tested positive of whom 20001 have recovered, 1338 are active cases while 306 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.
Among those arrested are also two journalists; Irene Murindahabi and Phil Peter both working for Isibo TV.
All the violators were arrested on Monday, March 29 at about 10:30pm in a house of one Hadijda Uwimana located in Gasange Village, Rugando Cell of Kimihurura Sector in Gasabo District.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said the gathering was organized by Social Mula, who had invited them for a video shooting and to plan for the launch of his new song.
The violations, he added, were reported to the Police by some area residents.
“Police officers were immediately deployed to the house where the group had converged for a prohibited social gathering. They were congested in the and had violated the curfew because it was time when everyone was supposed to be in their respective homes,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Social Mula was recently given movement clearance as an individual, running from March 8 to April 1, to facilitate him in his music activities, but he abused the clearance by inviting such a big gathering and at night.
When you acquire a movement clearance, it does not mean that you are permitted to do whatever pleases you; you must adhere to all COVID-19 prevention guidelines including prohibited gatherings, social distancing, wearing face mask and respecting the curfew.”
The violators, he said, came from different places, gathered in one house which was easier for one infected person to infect all others without forgeting how many they would infect in their families and communities where they live or work.
Lambert Mugwaneza, who regretted his actions, explained that although he was given a movement clearance, he abused it by violating the curfew and inviting other people.
To the two journalists, Mulindahabi and Phil Peter, who were behind the camera during the shooting, they asked for linience for the violations.
The call was made on Tuesday, March 30, which brought together ministers; Dr. Daniel Ngamije of Health, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi of Local Government, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya of Education and Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera.
{{New directives}}
Under the new nationwide directives, movements are prohibited between 9pm-4am, all businesses must close by 8pm; public offices will continue with essential staff with no more than 30% capacity while other employees continue working from home on rotational basis.
Private businesses will continue with essential staff at no more than 30% capacity while markets and malls will continue with essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders.
Movements between Kigali and provinces and between districts of the country are permitted but movement are prohibited between 7pm to 4am in the Southern districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, Huye, Gisagara, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe.
Public transport (buses) should not exceed 50% capacity. The bus operators will ensure passengers maintain social distancing and only passengers with masks will be allowed on board.
Motos and bicycles are permitted to carry passengers but must observe strict hygiene; physical meetings will resume but should not exceed 30% of venue capacity. In case the meeting participants exceed 20 people, COVID-19 testing will be required.
All bars remain closed, gyms, recreational centers and gaming activities are still prohibited. And all swimming pools and spas are closed except for those at hotels hosting guests.
Places of worship will resume with no more than 30% maximum occupancy; attendance at vigil must not exceed 10 persons at any one time; funeral gatherings should not exceed 20 persons; civil and religious weddings will continue but should not exceed 20 persons and must comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Receptions are prohibited.
Restaurants and café remain open with 30% occupancy limit and can receive clients until 8pm.
Tourism activity will continue in strict adherence with COVID-19 health guidelines.
This includes hotels, tour operators and transport services facilitating guests.
Tourists and services providers shall inform Rwanda Development Board (RDB) of their itineraries.
Individual and non-contact outdoor sport activities are permitted.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said compliance is key to containing the spread of the virus.
“The past year fighting the pandemic should be a lesson to everyone; the prevention measures against COVID-19 will continue to be observed until at least 60 percent of the population are vaccinated,” Dr. Ngamije said.
CP Kabera appreciated those, who continue to be exemplary in compliance with the directives as well as varied partners including local government entities and community policing groups for the partnership in awareness and enforcement.
“When directives are tightened people complain and when they are eased people disregard them and indulge in actions that can potentially spread the virus; this will not be tolerated,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “We have seen people organizing house parties, birthdays and bridal showers; for instance, early this morning we paraded to the media 39 people for hosting a house party. There are those who violate the directives claiming that they were vaccinated and those who organize weddings with people above the maximum number.”
Over the past two weeks, over 74,650 pedestrians were arrested across the country for violating varied directives.
Also, 816 vehicles, 570 motos and 136 bicycles were impounded during the same period.
At least 355 bars were found operating, 2066 people caught drinking while four hotels and 60 restaurants were closed for flouting the directives.
CP Kabera reminded the public to adhere to the prevention guidelines rather than being forced.
The competition launched last year is taking place for the second time. The previous edition attracted 15 women groups.
A total of 12 best groups were awarded and started registering economic growth.
For instance, the group based in Rwamagana district called ‘Twite ku Buzima’, which emerged the best in agriculture category walked away with Rwf 1 million. It has expanded activities, bought gardens and invested in other projects like decorations and clothing brides at weddings among others.
MTN Rwanda organizes the competition to foster women’s growth and unleash fears to venture into income generating activities.
This year’s edition attracted 15 women groups , some of which have technology related projects.
MTN Rwanda will reward three first groups in each category whereby the 3rd, 2nd and 1st groups will respectively receive Rwf 400,000, Rwf 700,000 and Rwf 1 million.
Groups that won’t emerge among winners will also receive Rwf 200,000 incentives.
MTN Rwanda, Mitwa Ng’ambi has also set a special reward for the outstanding group which will receive Rwf 2 million.
Speaking to IGIHE, Yvonne Mubiligi, Head of Corporate Affairs at MTN Rwanda has revealed that the competition aims at commending and consolidating women’s achievements in lending and saving groups.
Mubiligi thanked partners including AEE church, National Women Council and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF).
Albert Mabasi from AEE has thanked MTN Rwanda for contribution in women’s development.
The representative of the executive secretary of National Women Council, Uwamahoro Marguerite Marie also thanked MTN Rwanda for supporting women through the competition which empowered them to increase capital.
The profit was driven by maintained good service delivery and investment in digital channels.
The bank registered a pre-tax profit of Rwf7.8 billion with the loan book portfolio growing by 19 per cent Year on Year to Rwf205 billion in December 2020.
The bank’s assets closed at Rwf417 billion with shareholders’ funds of Rwf54 billion, a 31 % growth and 27 per cent growth respectively. Deposits also increased significantly, reinforcing the strength of the bank’s funding and liquidity positions.
Commenting on the development; the CEO of I&M Bank Robin Bairstow said: “While the pandemic brought up several headwinds, the Bank’s results are satisfactory and evidence that our considerable efforts to focus on strengthening our core business and bolstering of our digital capabilities will continue to pay off over the longer term.”
“Helping our customers emerge in a sustainable position was our most pressing priority. We put in place a comprehensive support scheme for individuals and businesses including interest rate reductions, online charges waivers and loan extension facilities,” he added.
