Herbert Diess, the Board Chairman of Volkswagen Group who also enjoyed a test-drive has revealed that the e-tractor being tested is ‘working very well’.
“We have launched the conservation agriculture project Gen.Farm: a sustainable CO2-free hub where farmers can book an e-tractor including a trained driver,” said Diess.
The tractors have batteries powered by solar energy.
With a team of Rwandans, South Africans and Germans, the pilot phase in Rwanda is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the University of Rwanda (UR) through its College of Science and Technology.
The tractor can be used for different purposes from soil preparation to harvesting.
Headquartered in Germany, Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles and the largest car maker in Europe.
The latter launched car assembling plant in Rwanda in 2018.
News about death of the girl who recently finished primary leaving exams circulated on Monday 19th July 2021
The Executive Secretary of Kimonyi sector, Epimaque Nteziryayo has explained that her body is to be taken for postmortem.
“It is true that we found the girl hang from a tree with a pullover around the neck and alerted Rwanda Investigation Bureau. The body was taken to Ruhengeri Hospital. I have learnt this morning that the body is expected to be transferred to Kacyiru Hospital for postmortem,” he revealed.
Nteziryayo said that the girl had no clashes with her family and colleagues.
“I have sought information from her family and learnt that she had no disputes with parents and siblings. The school where she has been studying has also told me that the girl had no apparent problems. It is said that she had climbed onto the tree to harvest avocadoes in the morning and was later found hanging. The girl is suspected to have committed suicide using her pullover,” he noted.
Nteziryayo appealed on parents to interact with their children and identify their problems early for counseling.
It is said that the journalist was beaten in Rubona village as he went to cover news in the area.
According to sources, there were different roads clocks in the village controlled by young men with sticks to restrict movements.
Residents who could not reach markets or nearby public water tap invited the journalist to cover the situation for top officials’ attention where it he was assaulted upon arrival on Sunday 18th July 2021.
It is said that the journalist went to a health facility for medical attention where he received medications and returned home but officials from Nyagatare district defended the village leader saying that the journalist was not beaten.
The situation attracted RIB’s intervention which has revealed that Sam Kalisa, the leader of Rubona village and Steven Mutsinzi,25, have been arrested over allegedly assaulting or injuring a journalist working with Flash Radio, Charles Ntirenganya,34, intentionally.
The suspects are detained at Karangazi RIB Post awaiting further investigation before their files are transferred to the Prosecution.
Assaulting or causing injuries intentionally attracts an imprisonment between three to five years and a fine not less than Rwf500,000 but no more than Rwf1 million as per article 121 of the Law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018.
The deceased include 11 women and 6 men from Kigali city, Rusizi, Gicumbi, Nyanza, Musanze, Bugesera, Karongi and Huye districts.
The statement released last night shows that 913 people have caught the virus out of 8664 sample tests while 1005 recovered.
The majority of new cases were found in Musanze: 152, Kigali: 140 and Kayonza: 91.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 58 235 people have been tested positive of whom 41 046 recovered, 16 523 are active cases, 89 are critically ill while 666 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 406, 004 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme 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.
The boat capsized at about 1:15am with six traders on board from Boneza Sector of Rutsiro District, who were at the time transporting assorted foodstuff to Brasserie market in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District.
Marine Police Unit Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye, said that the incident occurred as the boat approached Bukiro Village, Karambi Cell, Kivumu Sector in Rutsiro District.
Elie Nzabahimana, 33, the captain of the boat, thanked the Marine Police unit for the swift rescue and to save their lives.
“I was transporting traders and their goods from Boneza in Rutsiro going to Brasserie market in Rubavu, and we had spent about three hours on the journey. However, we encountered strong wind and waves, which filled the boat with water causing the boat to capsize,” Nzahabimana said.
He added: “When the incident happened, I managed to save my mobile phone and I called a friend, who in turn called the marine. We were rescued less than minutes after I called my colleague.
Water is a very dangerous thing, when such an incident happens, you have slim hope of survival and when you see such quick rescue response, to me it defines professionalism.”
ACP Mwesigye said that Marine Police received a distress call at about 1:20am about a boat that had capsized in Lake Kivu. Marine officers were immediately dispatched and they rescued all the seven people safely to Kigufi Cell in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District.
According to ACP Mwesigye, the strong wind and waves caused the engine to malfunction and waters filled the boat and keeled over. He also thanked Nzabahimana, who was swift to call for rescue.
“We are in the sunny period, which provokes strong wind and waves. Unfortunately, most boats used in Lake Kivu, although they have engines, they cannot stand such strong waves which was the same case with this specific incident,” said ACP Mwesigye.
“It is important that people use the waters during the day, always wear life-jackets, which helps them to float as they wait for the rescue team, to always know and immediately call the marine police on 110 (marine), 112 (emergency) and 0788311545 for quick rescue when an incident happens.”
He was arrested on 16th July 2021 and detained at RIB Post in Nyamirambo as investigation into alleged crimes is underway.
“Investigations is underway to send his files to the Prosecution,” RIB’s spokesperson, Dr. Thierry B. Murangira has told IGIHE.
IGIHE has learnt that Rukundo used to issue construction permits to projects not complying with Kigali City master plan without colleagues’ consent.
Dr. Murangira has explained that RIB won’t tolerate anyone abusing office.
“RIB would like to remind people to avoid using public wealth for personal interests because it is against the law. Anyone caught for related malpractices will be subjected to punishments as determined by laws,” he warned.
Rukundo is accused of two crimes including failure to justify wealth and abuse of office.
The article 9 of the Law N°54/2018 of 13/08/2018 stipulates that a public officer failing to justify wealth is liable to imprisonment of not less than 7 years and not more than 10 years plus a fine of 3 to 5 times the value of the property which cannot be justified.
On the other hand, using his powers for personal interests is punishable by the article 15 of the Law N°54/2018 of 13/08/2018 determining penalties for corruption related crimes. Upon conviction, he is liable to imprisonment of not less than 7 and not more than 10 years sentence between seven and ten and a fine between Rwf5 and Rwf10 million.
The Kigali Construction and Urban Planning One Stop Centre was created in 2010 to ensure respect for safety standards in the construction sector, develop and review key area detailed physical plans, ensure quick service delivery mostly in building permit issuance, monitor and advise Districts’ land bureau for efficient service delivery.
It is also tasked to implement Kigali City master plan.
His body was retrieved on Sunday 18th July 2021 around 2p.m.
The man’s identity cards found in his pocket shows that he hails from Nyamabuye sector in Muhanga district.
He has however been living in Kinazi sector of Ruhango district.
The Executive Secretary of Byimana sector, Patrick Mutabazi has said that his body was first seen by residents who immediately alerted local leaders.
He explained that Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has started investigation to establish cause of his death.
“RIB has launched investigation to establish cause of the man’s death. His body has been retrieved and taken to Kinazi Hospital for postmortem,” said Mutabazi .
Speaking to the youth from diaspora early this month, Gen Kabarebe reflected on formation and weakness of FDLR highlighting that the rebel group’s doomsday is nearing.
“Genocidaire soldiers fled to neighboring Zaire, current Democratic Republic of Congo where they formed ALIR rebel group which later birthed FDLR. The rebel group attacked Rwanda at different times in 1996 and 1997 until 2001,” he said.
Gen Kabarebe explained that the rebel outfit led by divisive politics was split into different groups based on places of origin.
“The rebel group comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi is based in DRC. Due to divisive politics, it was later split into different groups based on places of origin. Those calling themselves ‘Abakiga’ with intensions to attack from the Northern part of the country stayed in FDLR while those calling themselves ‘Abanyenduga’ led by Rusesabagina and Wilson Irategeka moved to Southern Kivu region and raided Rwanda through Nyungwe,” he noted.
“They were mired in divisive politics and split them into groups based on likely differences. Those who fled to Burundi attacked Rwanda from Nyungwe but majority of forces that stayed in Congo were subjected to attacks and were defeated by FARDC which sent approximately 330 to Rwanda. The remaining small number of rebels who escaped to Burundi started raiding Rwanda through Nyungwe Park,” added gen Kabarebe.
He further observed that their doomsday is closer considering the fact that Burundian soldiers launched operations against these rebels.
“They were defeated as days went by. Burundi soldiers recently launched attacks against these rebels and arrested some of them. To this end, I can only conclude that they are on the verge of defeat. Their doomsday is coming closer because their forces in Southern Kivu have been defeated while those who survived were sent here currently undergoing rehabilitation programmes at Mutobo center,” he said.
“Those attacking from Nyungwe Park were repelled by Rwanda’s soldiers and returned to Burundi. However, Burundi soldiers are also hunting them. So, they are in last days,” added Gen Kabarebe.
FDLR rebel outfit is comprised of remnants of masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi who at different times plotted hit-and-run attacks to Rwanda and repelled back.
After Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) currently Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) soldiers won the liberation struggle, soldiers of former Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) fled to Eastern DRC forests where they formed the Army for the Liberation of Rwanda (ALIR) that birthed the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Since 2019, Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) has been plotting attacks to disarm terror groups operating in DRC forests that saw some members killed and others extradited to Rwanda.
These include top military commanders like Juvénal Musabyimana alias Jean-Michel Africa while Col. Nshimiyimana Asifiwe Manudi was arrested.
Gen. Sylvestre Mudacumura, the chief of the FDLR rebel group which has been operating in Eastern DRC for many years was also killed in September 2019.
Mudacumura was killed with his deputies including Col Serge, Col Soso Sixbert, and his secretary Maj Gaspard among others while more 15 fighters were arrested.
Disarmament of rebel groups in Eastern DRC has been among priorities since President Antoine Felix Tshisekedi took over from Joseph Kabila Kabange.
Tshisekedi made the pledge, few days after FARDC launched operations to quell rebel outfits in the region.
These efforts led to the killing and arrest of hundreds members of terror groups against the Government of Rwanda operating in DRC forests. These include FDLR, RUD-Urunana FLN and RNC.
Following the arrest and deaths of top military commanders, FDLR lost some of its strongholds.
Some of arrested commanders include Marc Nizeyimana from FLN while the group’s top commander Lt Gen Wilson Irategeka was killed along with his lieutenants in FARC attacks.
Following the surge in new COVID-19 cases and deaths, the virtual Cabinet Meeting of 14th July 2021 reviewed the national directives on preventing the spread of the pandemic and imposed lockdown in Kigali city and eight districts including Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana and Rutsiro.
The new directive takes effect from Saturday, July 17 till July 26.
As he launched food relief distribution on Sunday 18th July 2021; the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi told the media that no one should miss the support during this difficult time.
“No registered vulnerable resident will miss foodstuffs. We will also take into account residents not classified as vulnerable but hit hard by effects of the pandemic. Those unable to get food can report themselves to local leaders to be listed among targeted food relief recipients,” he said.
Citizens have been reminded to continue adhering to COVID-19 preventive directives to avoid extension of lockdown.
The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana has told IGIHE that donated foodstuffs were processed by local plants considering it a milestone to home grown solutions.
“It is our pride that all distributed foodstuffs were processed by local plants. Many people underestimate our plants associating them with low quality but it is far from the reality. Our plants meet quality standards that I no longer buy imported foods,” she revealed.
Antoinette Murekatete, one of food recipients who used to force meal upon daily casual work thanked the Government for considering the needy during this difficult time and called on other residents to fully comply with instituted health guidelines lest the situation worsens further.
Babiron Kaseru is another beneficiary with seven children. He revealed that food relief is a testament that the Government oversees for interests of citizens and draws much attention to their wellbeing.
“I am very excited with received food donations coming in handy to move on with life as other activities are put on standstill. It reflects how our wellbeing matters to the country,” he said.
On the first day, food donations were distributed to 12 sectors in three districts of Kigali city. More residents are to receive foodstuffs gradually.
It is expected that 211,000 residents will be provided with foodstuffs including maize flour, rice and beans where the quantity will be determined by number of family members.
The incident took place on Sunday 18th July 2021early morning around 4a.m in Kabushongo village, Busoro cell, Nyamyumba sector of Rubavu district.
It is said that the boat was carrying paving stones from Nyamyumba to Boneza sector in Rutsiro district.
The boat operated by Bernard Ndayisaba along with his son Etienne Hakizimana, 20 was striken by strong wave and capsized after crossing the area designated for extraction of methane gas in Lake Kivu.
Following the incident, Hakizimana swam and survived while his father Ndayisaba sank with the boat.
The Executive Secretary of Nyamyumba sector, Heritier Kazendebe has said that Ndayisaba’s body has not yet been retrieved.
“It is still difficult to retrieve his body because he sank with loaded boat,” he explained.
Kazendebe expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured support to retrieve the man’s body for burial.
The previous accident in Lake Kivu took place in October 2019 when a truck belonging to Chinese company constructing the road along Marine headquarters to Bralirwa plant in Rubavu district skidded off the road into Lake Kivu leaving two of 10 passengers on board dead.
