The statement released last night shows that 754 people have caught the virus out of 14 393 sample tests, 12 recovered while 37 are critically ill.
The majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 70, Bugesera: 60, Nyamagabe: 54, Ngororero: 53 and Gicumbi: 53.
A total of 564, 951 people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while 44,584 received 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.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Gisanga Ndahimana, the District Police Commander (DPC) for Gicumbi, said that the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from traffickers and dealers in separate Police operations conducted in Byumba sector between January and July, this year.
“These drugs were impounded from dealers, who were attempting to sneak them into Rwanda from Uganda, through porous borders as well as those who were selling them locally. At least 28 dealers; 20 of them with kanyanga, seven with cannabis and one with khat, were arrested in the process,” SP Ndahimana said.
Majority of the arrested dealers are members of the groups that call themselves Abarembetsi.
“These operations were successful largely because of the ownership of the residents, who reported the dealers that use their communities as transit routes or destination,” the DPC said.
“Besides awareness and varied operations targeting drug dealers especially in the borderline districts of Gicumbi, Burera and Musanze, the government projects such as feeder road construction, reafforestation under Green Gicumbi programme; some young people that belonged to Abarembetsi rackets have now engaged in these constructive and development activities, where they are employed. We call upon all those still involved in these criminal acts to follow suit for the better future.”
Cannabis and khat also commonly known as mayirungi, are classified as very severe drugs in Rwanda while kanyanga is listed as a simple drug.
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 up to Rwf30 million.
In case of simple drugs, the offender faces between seven and ten years and a fine of not less than Frw5 million but not more than Rwf10 million.
These agreements were signed this afternoon in the areas of mining, transport development, security and economic development.
After witnessing the signing of agreements, Kagame and Touadéra highlighted that both countries have built strong ties.
In a joint press conference, Kagame said that Rwanda has been happy to join hands with people of Central African Republic, in pursuit of peace, reconciliation and prosperity.
“The signing of these agreements and the joint communiqué will serve to further cement our bilateral ties and deliver on the immense potential for the social economic transformation of our nations,” he stated.
Kagame also emphasized that sustained cooperation across the continent ‘is essential for all of us to be able to succeed’.
“Rwanda is committed to expand our strategic partnership with tangible results in the years ahead,” he affirmed.
President Touadéra also thanked Kagame for inviting him to Rwanda noting that it is of great significance to both countries’ relations.
“This visit is a testament of cordial relations between Central African Republic and Rwanda,” he said.
Touadéra stressed that the people of CAR and Rwanda share common ambitions adding that his visit to Kigali is an opportunity to further strengthen relations and exchange ideas in priority areas.
Among others, Touadéra thanked Rwandans and Kagame for contribution to restore peace, security and economy in his country.
He also told Rwandans that CAR is open for investments in different areas.
Touadéra arrived in Rwanda today for four-day working visit.
During his stay in Rwanda, Touadéra will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at Parliament before being hosted at a State Banquet.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
Rwanda and CAR have been for long enjoying cordial relations whereby Rwanda is helping the country engulfed by wars to restore peace. Rwandan troops have been deployed to CAR peacekeeping mission since 2014.
On 20th December 2020, Rwanda deployed more special forces to CAR under existing bilateral cooperation signed in 2019.
Ahead of Touadéra’s visit, Rwanda started the deployment of an additional Infantry Battalion of 750 military personnel on Tuesday 3rd August 2021 to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
CAR covers a land area of about 620,000 square kilometres and has an estimated population of around 4.7 million. As of 2020, the country was the scene of a civil war, ongoing since 2012.
The Central African Republic’s economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture, with important mining and timber industries the main source of export earnings.
Diamonds are the country’s most profitable export, while agriculture occupies most of its working population.
Farmers grow cotton, coffee, and tobacco for export and crops for local markets, but economic development is handicapped by the CAR’s landlocked position, limited infrastructure, and the low education of its work-force. Poor government management and political instability have further weakened the CAR’s economic condition.
The informal sector is important in the CAR, accounting for most economic activity and a large share of the diamond trade.
As he arrived at Kigali International Airport, Touadéra was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
The two heads of state will hold a closed-door meeting before holding bilateral talks with accompanying officials from the Central African Republic and Rwanda.
They will also witness the signing of several bilateral agreements and a joint communiqué before addressing the media.
During his stay in Rwanda, Touadéra will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at Parliament before being hosted at a State Banquet.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, Touadéra was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Touadéra will also be received by his counterpart of Rwanda, Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village where the two heads of state will hold a closed-door meeting before bilateral talks with accompanying officials from CAR and Rwanda.
The heads of state will then witness the signing of several bilateral agreements and a joint communiqué before addressing the media.
During his stay in Rwanda, Touadéra will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at Parliament before being hosted at a State Banquet.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
He was sworn in for his second five-year term in March 2021.
The EABC is the regional apex body of the private sector in the EAC member states including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.
John Bosco Kalisa, CEO of EABC said that the domestic air transport sector remains protected, reducing accessibility and increasing air transport cost at the expense of potential users.
“Liberalization of air services in the region is set to increase traffic volumes, improve connectivity and lower air transport fares. This will in turn increase trade and tourism, inward investment and productivity growth,” Kalisa said in a statement.
According to findings from the latest policy paper by EABC, Costs and Benefits of ‘Open Skies’ in the EAC region, air-transport liberalization is set to lower flight costs by nine percent and result in a 41 percent increase in flight frequencies.
The policy paper recommends for the EAC partner states to provide subsidies for the aviation industry in the form of direct financial support, loan guarantees, corporate bonds and tax reliefs.
“By removing foreign restrictions, EAC partner states will be able to attract private sector investment. This will open up access to capital and avail investment in infrastructure upgrades and capacity expansion for regional airports,” Kalisa added.
Gatabazi made the call on Wednesday 2021 during a consultative meeting between the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), officials from different provinces and Kigali City, security officials and representatives from the Inter-religious Council.
The meeting also assessed the council’s appeal to reopen churches.
The recent cabinet meeting held on 30th July 2021 reviewed existing COVID-19 preventive measures lifting lockdown in Kigali city and eight districts but places of worship remained among closed activities.
Despite these measures, believers have been arrested at different times congested at homes or gathered for prayers in forests violating COVID-19 containment measures.
For instance, 38 believers from Bugesera district were arrested on 18th July 2021 gathered for prayers at a hill in Mbyo. They are an addition to 239 people arrested the previous day on 17th July 2021 gathered for prayers at Kanyarira hill in Ruhango district among others.
Minister Gatabazi has requested church leaders and religious denominations to educate their followers on instituted health guidelines, encourage them to accept COVID-19 vaccines and advise them against illegal gatherings for prayers lest their life is exposed to risk.
He urged them to use different platforms life Radio, Television among others as they await new measures allowing the reopening of churches.
The Chief Executive Officer of Africa Medical Supplier, Fabrice Shema has told IGIHE that the donation will help vulnerable residents to continue protecting themselves against COVID-19.
“The donation will help vulnerable Rwandans with inadequate means to afford face masks because wearing them properly is among instituted measures to fight the COVID-19. The face masks will also be used by different segments of the population including healthcare workers at national level and health centers as we continue to fight the pandemic,” he said.
According to officials from the National Reference Laboratory, the donation comes in handy as the country seeks to reduce the surging COVID-19 new cases and deaths.
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 statement released last night shows that 769 people have caught the virus, 24 recovered while 45 are critically ill.
A total of 520,367 people have been fully vaccinated while 44,227 received the first dose of COVID-19 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.
Augustin Nsanzimfura, the commercial motorcyclist, and Nzanana Evariste alias Gakara were arrested in action on Tuesday, July 3, as they tried to offer the bribe to influence the unlawful release of the former’s motorcycle, plate number RE 374K, which was impounded about two months ago over varied serious traffic violations.
The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that Nsanzimfura had paid Gakara to help him seduce the traffic officer handling the case, with the bribe to illegally bail out his motorcycle.
“The motorcycle belonging to Nsanzimfura was impounded two months in Kamonyi District over separate serious traffic rules and regulations offences including speeding, riding under the influence of alcohol and had no driver’s license. Related fines for the violations had also accrued to Rwf635, 000 over a period of time,” SP Kanamugire said.
He added: “We understand that Nsanzimfura paid Gakara Rwf30, 000 in order to help him locate and seduce the traffic officer in Kamonyi, who was handling the case. That is how they travelled to Kamonyi on Tuesday after contacting the traffic officer, and they were arrested red-handed at about 5pm handing over Frw50000 to the officer, who had reported to his superiors prior about the planned bribe.”
SP Kanamugire warned against such “criminal practices” and advised motorists to always abide by traffic rules and regulations, and in case they are penalized for any offence, they should clear the fines instead of taking criminal shortcuts which lead to arrest and likely spending many years in prison for such avoidable behaviours.
“Do not commit a crime trying to rectify a traffic offence,” SP Kanamugire advised.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Runda station for further legal actions.
Under article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption, any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment between five years and seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
If acts referred to in Paragraph One and 3 of this Article are committed in order to perform an act contrary to law, the penalty is imprisonment between seven years and ten years with a fine of three to five times the value in Rwandan francs of the illegal benefit received or offered.
