The statement released last night shows that the deceased is a 84-year old woman from Kigali city.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 pandemic on 14th March 2020. Since then, 19 111 people have been tested positive out of 1 017 029 sample tests of whom 17 472 have recovered, 1374 are active cases while 265 have succumbed to the pandemic.
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 suspects were all arrested in Kicukiro District in operations conducted by the department of Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crimes.
They include Jean Paul Hategekimana and Jean Claude Munyantore arrested in Gatenga Sector while Valens Tuyisenge and Eric Turatsinze were arrested in Gikondo sector.
Police also seized from the suspects 36 types of bleaching lotions worth about Rwf3 million. They include Diproson, Mediven, White express, G.G and other outlawed lotions and oils.
Addressing the the media, Lazarre Ntirenganya from Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) said the cosmetics contain hydroquinone, which pose health effects to users.
’’These cosmetics were banned because they are harmful to the users. They are among the 1,342 listed cream and oil brands with hydroquinone and mercury, which are prohibited in Rwanda,” Ntirenganya said.
The skin bleaching products are labeled illegal under the ministerial order determining the list of cosmetics, whose use is prohibited in Rwanda; the law on organization, functioning, and competence of the Council of Pharmacists; and the law relating to the regulation and inspection of food and pharmaceutical products.
The products 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.
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.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said the suspects were arrested as a result of strong partnership between the Police and the general public through information sharing.
He warned that these are part of the continuous Police operations targeting shops and people selling outlawed creams and oils.
Article 266 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, states that “any person, who produces, sells or prescribes the following prohibited substances: a drug; harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substances 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 (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than three million Rwandan francs (Rwf 3,000,000) and not more than five million Rwandan francs (Rwf5,000,000) or only one of these penalties.”
Wailer, a baritone singer whose birth name is Neville Livingston, formed The Wailers in 1963 with late superstars Bob Marley and Peter Tosh when they lived in a slum in the capital of Kingston. They catapulted to international fame with the album “Catch a Fire” and also helped popularize Rastafarian culture among better-off Jamaicans starting in the 1970s.
“Jah-B was a vanguard, always pushing the boundaries of expression, whether in song, in style or in spoken word,” said Brian Paul Welsh, a local reggae musician known as Blvk H3ro. “There was and can only ever be one Neville Livingston.”
Wailer died at Andrews Memorial Hospital in the Jamaican parish of St. Andrew of complications from a stroke he suffered in July, manager Maxine Stowe told The Associated Press.
His death was mourned worldwide as people shared music, memories and pictures of the renowned artist.
“The passing of Bunny Wailer, the last of the original Wailers, brings to a close the most vibrant period of Jamaica’s musical experience,” wrote Jamaica politician Peter Phillips in a Facebook post. “Bunny was a good, conscious Jamaican brethren.”
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, also paid tribute to Wailer, calling him “a respected elder statesman of the Jamaican music scene,” in a series of tweets.
“This is a great loss for Jamaica and for Reggae, undoubtedly Bunny Wailer will always be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music industry and Jamaica’s culture,” he wrote.
While Wailer toured the world, he was more at home in Jamaica’s mountains and he enjoyed farming while writing and recording songs on his label, Solomonic.
″I think I love the country actually a little bit more than the city,″ Wailer told The Associated Press in 1989. ″It has more to do with life, health and strength. The city takes that away sometimes. The country is good for meditation. It has fresh food and fresh atmosphere — that keeps you going.″
A year before, in 1988, he had chartered a jet and flew to Jamaica with food to help those affected by Hurricane Gilbert.
″Sometimes people pay less attention to those things (food), but they turn out to be the most important things. I am a farmer,” he told the AP.
He was the third and last original Wailer. Marley died in 1981 of a brain tumor at 36 years old and Tosh was fatally shot in Jamaica in 1987 at 42 years old.
In February 2021, Rwanda started Covid-19 vaccination program with high-risk groups, notably frontline healthcare staff and expected to be followed by a wider roll out.
The World Health organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccines were received through existing agreements with partners other than the official equitable vaccine sharing initiative known as COVAX and the African Union’s Africa Medical Supplies Platform.
Rwanda is among four African countries expected to receive the first batch of vaccines through COVAX initiative. These include Cape Verde, Tunisia and South Africa. Rwanda recently received five ultra-cold freezers with the capacity to store all types of Coronavirus vaccines.
The fridges can store vaccines at -70 and -86 degrees Celsius. It is expected that Rwanda will have received 1,098,960 vaccine dozes by February 2021 to vaccinate 549 480 people.
It is expected that health practitioners, patients with incurable diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and asthma among other respiratory diseases would be among the first group to be vaccinated in the first phase along with elders above 65 years and people whose line of duty puts them in a susceptible position.
The cost to vaccinate 60% of Rwandans is estimated at US$124 million (Rwf 121 billion).
Father Rugirangoga is renowned for divine healing prayers, psychiatric as well as unity and reconciliation initiatives. He died in the United States in January from respiratory complications stemming from Covid-19.
His body was flown to Rwanda in the night of Saturday 27th February 2021.
On 1st March 2021, a farewell mass read by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda was held at Regina Pacis Catholic Church in Remera before Rugirangoga’s body was taken to Mushaka parish for burial on 2nd March 2021.
As he paid tribute to late Rugirangoga, Kambanda said that Ubald was characterized by a sense of responsibility to re-build the Rwandan community highlighting that the deceased left a good legacy of striving for peace, unity and reconciliation.
The requiem mass held at Mushaka Parish today has attracted clerics, Christians, relatives and friends to bid farewell to late Father Rugirangoga before laying him to rest at Agasozi k’Ibanga ry’Amahoro (Hill of Secrete to Peace) located in Kamatita cell, Gihundwe sector, Rusizi district of Western Province.
The hill of 25 hectares is located in Nkanka Parish, Cyangugu Diocese. It was conceived by Father Rugirangoga who sought to establish a center where people will gather for to pray for a peaceful world and forgive each other.
The mass was also attended by Katse Long, a US resident and friend to late Ubald who escorted his body on a plane to Rwanda.
Church services were led by the Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Cyangugu Diocese, Hakizimana Célestin Bishop Hakizimana along with the Bishop of Ruhengeri Diocese, Vincent Harorimana.
Bishop Hakizimana has said that Father Rugirangoga helped many people to model unity and reconciliation and healed wounds through psychiatric initiatives.
He comforted those he helped not to sink into sorrow noting that Rugirangoga has gone in God’s safe hands.
“Those he helped through psychiatric initiatives should not feel despaired because they have an interceder by the side of God,” he said.
Rugwizangoga Revelien, the brother to Father Rugirangoga has said that his elder brother was a zealous and dedicated person with kind heart and unconditional love towards people throughout his entire life.
Rugirangoga is a son of Kabera Jacques and Mukaruhamya Anesia. The had sired together four children, of whom one was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“My elder brother has been a caring person, a parent, a good friend and great advisor with outstanding experience you are aware of. During his service as a priest, I am sure that he was a good advisor and friend to everyone. His heart and house were always open,” said Rugwizangoga.
The mayor of Rusizi district, Kayumba Ephrem revealed that Father Rugirangoga had good collaboration with local leadership in his functions where he would notify them of activities he is organizing or advice the district on planned activities.
“You have departed early but God has loved your more. We are assured that the Hill of Secrete to Peace will always be blessed because of your advocacy. May Your Soul Rest In Peace,” he said.
In his message on behalf of the clergy, Bishop Hakizimana condoled with relatives of late Father Rugirangoga, Christians, Rwandans and their friends especially those who had a pact of friendship with Ubald.
He requested Christians and clerics to emulate his good deeds and take on his work praying for patients and promoting unity and reconciliation.
Bishop Hakizimana also thanked Ketsey Long who stayed closer with Ubald for tyeh past 12 years, Les Amis d’Ubald (Friends of Ubald) among others who provided support to repatriate his body to Rwanda.
Ketsey Long also received a gift in souvenir of late Father Rugirangoga.
Father Rugirangoga has prayed for many patients some of whom recovered from sight problems, HIV/AIDS, Diabetis among other incurable or hardly curable diseases.
He always attributed the healing to Jesus.
Speaking to IGIHE in 2015, Father Rugirangoga revealed that he started healing prayers in 1987 when he was a young priest. “Later in 1991, I started seeing visuals and hearing strange voices speaking to me. In the four previous years, I used to pray for people who would come to tell me that they have recovered,” he said.
Niyibizi Verena from Kicukiro district recently said that he recovered from heart disease in 2015 after attending Ubald’s healing prayers. He had suffered from the disease for nine years that hospitals in Rwanda, Kenya, Belgium and Germany had failed him.
Father Ubald Rugiranoga was born in February 155 in former Rwabidege sector, Mwezi parish in Commune Karengera, Prefecture Cyangugu currently in Rusizi district. He was ordained priest in 1984 at the age of 29. He used to organize different gospel crusades in which many people healed from different diseases.
In 2015, Father Rugirangoga was selected Protector of Friendship Pact ‘Umurinzi w’Igihango’ for outstanding contribution to unity and reconciliation initiatives that started in Mushaka Parish and extended countrywide.
Among others, Father Rugirangoga encouraged Genocide perpetrators to seek forgiveness and survivors to forgive offenders as a healing process from the wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2019, Father Rugirangoga wrote a book dubbed “Forgiveness Makes You Free” aimed at consolidating Rwandans unity and reconciliation efforts.
Prior to his death early January 2021, Ubald was the head priest at Mushaka Parish and had requested his Bishop to be assigned in a parish where he could easily pray for mass public and help them along unity and reconciliation journey.
He has been a priest for over 32 years and died at the age of 62.
These VUP beneficiaries are from Bushekeri sector of Nyamasheke district, Western Province employed in road maintenance works. From their wages, each of them has saved Rwf 30,000 for a period of one year and bought preferred small livestock.
Bought livestock include pigs, goats, sheep and chicken. Beneficiaries have revealed that these livestock will usher them into economic growth and uplift them from the current social classification category of vulnerable residents to become self-reliant people.
“We are optimistic that these livestock will enhance our economic growth. We shall utilize well compost and sell offspring to generate income. It will particularly help me to graduate from the current social class category,’ said Twagiramungu Naasson, one of beneficiaries.
Uzayisenga Jeannette expressed confidence that her livestock will help her afford school fees and graduate from poverty.
Indemarugamba Felix said that the small livestock will be reared properly and continue embracing saving culture until he buys cattle.
“We earn little payments but we understand the relevance of being far sighted to prosper. That is why VUP beneficiaries should not be stuck in the first Ubudehe category but rather should work hard to graduate from poverty. I will take care of the livestock to produce compost and continue embracing saving culture to buy a cow,” he noted.
Yvan Munezero, the executive secretary of Bushekeri sector has explained that farmers were advised to get insured under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme for to avoid losses.
“It will help beneficiaries to cater for basic needs without reliance on Government’s support. Insuring their livestock will help them to get compensations in case of losses. We agreed with them not to sale livestock but rather grow them to produce offspring and generate income,” he said.
The program was launched for the first time in Macuba sector towards the end of 2020.
As he visited Nyamasheke residents recently, the Minister of Local Government , Prof. Shyaka Anastase extolled residents for initiating the program and urged other sectors and districts to emulate it.
Idamange, 42, hailing from Kamonyi district has been for the past few weeks using social media platforms to trivialize the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She once said that remains of genocide victims laid at different memorials ‘have become a business’.
The mother whose university studies were sponsored by the Fund for Support to Genocide Survivors (FARG) has been featuring in YouTube channel talk shows pronouncing words that are said to incite public disorder and trivialize the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Following these acts, Rwanda National Police (RNP) jointly with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested her on 15th February 2021 for investigation.
On the same day of her arrest on 15th February, Idamange featured in a talk show following the previous one held on Sunday called ‘Amasengesho’ (Prayers).
In the talk show, she was heard requesting Rwandans to organize riots at Presidency Office carrying their bibles.
In process of her arrest, Idamange injured a police officer CSP Silas Karekezi hitting him with a bottle on the head.
Among others, Idamange faces charges of serious crimes including inciting public disorder, resisting lawful arrest and aggravated assault against law enforcement officer, trivializing genocide and willingly causing physical harm.
Upon arrival in India, the child was diagnosed with ‘rare disease’ known as ‘William syndrome’ and underwent heart surgery two times for improved health conditions.
‘Rare diseases’ are characterized by a wide diversity of symptoms and signs that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.
Williams syndrome is believed to be a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.
The child grew with such health conditions and taken to school but the disease prevented him from being concentrated on studies like colleagues appropriately.
Parents sought an alternative, and looked for a private tutor taking care of him alone.
The alternative yielded big that the child’s intellectual capacity developed and became literate. Today, he is attending vocational trainings like computer science, repairing damaged apparatuses and doing artistic works among others.
Parents were delighted with their child’s progress that the father decided to help children with similar conditions to educate them with special attention on areas suiting their capability.
There are various types of rare diseases including ‘William syndrome’, ‘Achalasia’, ‘Trisomy 21’ and ‘Autism’ among others.
Figures from World Health Organization (WHO) show that 300 million people suffer from such diseases worldwide.
Due to the low prevalence of each disease, medical expertise is rare, knowledge is scarce, care offerings inadequate and research limited. This exposes patients to limited healthcare access and proper education.
Health experts show that people with such conditions need special attention to unleash their potential but such facilities taking care of them are rare in many countries including Rwanda.
It is under this context that Manzi and his wife Uwimbabazi decided to impact the society after realizing that their child was improving.
Speaking to IGIHE, Manzi has said that the disease couldn’t allow her child to study advance courses with others and decided to provide special education.
“Our child caught the disease at early age and failed to concentrate on studies like colleagues. The time came when colleagues went to study in secondary schools but the child stayed at home. He would join others in class but couldn’t stay focused with the disease. I later contacted a private teacher for tutoring. The child is currently literate and has acquired basic skills,” she said.
Inspired by her child’s improvement, Manzi established ‘Centre Alliance’ to take care of children with similar conditions.
“I have founded the center to acquaint children with basic life skills including how to read and write. The center will, among other things, help children to socialize and get familiar with the society. We will also engage with parents to comfort them and offer course packages on rare diseases helping parents to take care of children,” she revealed.
Manzi requested parents rush to register their children to the center to get assistance.
“Some parents stigmatize children with such conditions and isolate them yet they are able to achieve great things if they potential is unleashed,” she said.
Rwanda joined the world to celebrate Rare Diseases Day on 28th February 2021. In Rwanda, it was celebrated under the theme ‘I can’t make it alone, but we can achieve great things together’.
Baho International Hospital is among health facilities that came out to offer the service.
IGIHE has visited the clinic in Nyarutarama, Kigali city to get deeper insights into the clinic’s operations starting from the reception until a client gets COVID-19 test results.
The hospital has designated an isolated space for COVID-19 test to avoid transmission of the virus in case an individual is positive.
As you enter Baho International Hospital, all measures recommended to contain the spread of COVID-19 are observed reinforced with signposts with messages that remind all visitors to respect social distancing among others as they sit in the waiting room.
The head of COVID-19 testing department at Baho International Hospital, Munyaneza Janvier says the hospital has all necessary equipment helping people to adhere to preventive measures.
“We have isolated COVID-19 testing building as one of the ways of preventing transmission of the virus. We have also erected signposts with messages that keep patients and other visitors updated on preventive measures among other relevant information. This helps visitors to keep social distancing and avoid any practice that might transmit the virus,” he said.
As you visit, Baho International Hospital, designated staff welcome you in a caring manner and guide you to finance department to clear Rwf 10 000 for COVID-19 test.
The client fills a form where after, provided data are synchronized with RBC system before going for testing.
Inside the testing room, there is a laboratory technician wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and observing strict prevention measures.
All sanitary items are made available and a patient sanitizes the hands before further proceedings.
The rapid antigen test lasts between ten and 15 minutes.
Ms. Tunga Grace, one of the medical personnel carrying outCOVID-19 tests at Baho International Hospital says people should understand the relevance of going for test to know the status of their health.
“Basic symptoms include cough, feeling week, developing respiratory complications, flu and headaches. This is not enough because some people without symptoms are tested positive. That is why it is better to go for testing to know the status of your health even when you have not yet developed symptoms,” she enthused.
COVID-19 test requires laboratory technician to thrust testing kit into the nose to get sample mucous.
Tunga explains that the procedure does not harm individuals because the tool doesn’t go deep inside.
“The testing kit is slightly thrusted and it is not even painful. People should allay their worries and come for testing,” she assures.
In most cases, patients tested positive get first medical aid at the hospital.
The court moved to Kacyiru following the recent relocation of the Ministry of Justice to the building in which the Office of the Prime Minister is headquartered.
The Court of Appeal also moved along with the Supreme Court in the same premises.
The former buildings in which these institutions were operating in Kimihurura are set to be demolished to develop a multibillion environmental-friendly complex known as ‘Inzovu mall’ at premises that used to house the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court in Kimihurura, near Kigali Convention Centre.
The complex mall to be developed by Groupe Duval will be home to ‘Odalys City Business Apart Hotel’ with 140 service apartment rooms, conference rooms, offices, entertainment and exhibition areas.
It will also have Cinema rooms, markets, shops, bars and restaurants, Forex Bureaus, natural areas, children areas, playgrounds, pharmacies, clinics and others.
Groupe Duval is a French company established in 1996 by Eric Duval. With 25 years experience investing in real estate, it currently has over 4000 employees. It has so far earned over $ 700 million from executed projects.
The company has been constructing eco-friendly buildings in Rwanda through its subsidiary ‘Duval Great Lakes Ltd’ led by Vicky Murabukirwa. Groupe Duval has huge investments in real estate, hospitality and food processing among others.
The project will be implemented on 26,000 square metres where green technologies will also be integrated. The plot of land where the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court are headquartered was handed to these investors as published in the Official Gazette of 26th April 2020.
Construction activities for the multibillion project are expected to start this year, once businesses operating in the buildings have relocated.
It is expected that the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) operating at these premises will also move to new offices in Remera nearby headquarters of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG).
