His body arrived at Kigali International Airport last night around 8pm. Upon arrival, Father Rugirangoga’s body was welcomed by relatives, clerics from Cyangugu Diocese and Bishop Hakizimana Célestin, the Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese who is also the Apostolic Administrator of Cyangugu Diocese.
Father Rugirangoga died on 7th January 2021 in the United States of America (USA) succumbing to COVID-19 related complications.
On 27th January, Christians and friends of Rwanda in USA organized a farewell Mass prayer held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.
The Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese, Hakizimana Célestin recently told IGIHE that a farewell Mass will be held at Regina Pacis Parish shortly after Father Rugirangoga’s body arrives in Rwanda.
The farewell Mass is scheduled on 1st March 2021, a day before his burial to take place 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.
Father Rugirangoga is renowned for delivering healing prayers, unity and reconciliation initiatives.
He was also renowned for psychiatric initiatives and healing prayers launched in Mushaka Parish that 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 2015, Father Rugirangoga was selected as Protector of Friendship Pact ‘Umurinzi w’Igihango’ for outstanding contribution promoting unity and reconciliation among Rwandans across the country.
In 2019, Father Rugirangoga wrote a book dubbed “Forgiveness Makes You Free” aimed at consolidating Rwandans unity and reconciliation efforts.
Father Ubald Rugiranoga was born on 26th April 1955 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.
The suspected duo of Omar Kanyemera alias Byamungu, 45, and Gregoire Mugiraneza, 35, was showed to the media at the Police metropolitan headquarters in Remera, Gasabo District on Saturday, February 27.
The duo was using dollar notes to dupe people.
According to one of the suspects; Mugiraneza, he met Kanyemera in Mageragere prison where they were both serving varied sentences.
Mugiraneza had been convicted for the same crime in 2018 after scamming someone of Frw1.8 million through the same scheme.
{{The scam}}
It is said that the duo was using dollar notes of US$100 to cover other dollar notes in small denominations.
It is through this trick that they would scam people thinking that all dollar notes in the bundle are in the denominations of US$100.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the two suspects were arrested in Kimisagara Sector, Nyarugenge District. They were at the time traveling in a private vehicle Toyota Corolla plate number RAB 191I.
“Police had information that these two men are scamming people with dollar notes. On the day of their arrest, Police had also received prior information that they would be traveling to Muhanga District to defraud other people.
Indeed, when Police arrested them, they found them in possession of 174 USD notes with only one note in the denomination of US$100. Other 173 notes were in the denominations of US$1,” CP Kabera said.
The two men were setting their traps outside forex bureaus and banks.
“They would stand in front of a certain forex bureau or bank with many dollar notes in small denominations wrapped in a dollar note of US$100. Certainly, they would approach someone coming to buy dollars, people going to deposit money in the bank or coming out of the bank to withdraw money. They would wrap 150 dollar notes together and make people believe that they are in the denominations of US$100 or US$15000 in total,” CP Kabera explained.
To escape from the victim, who at this moment is not aware that he or she has been duped, one of the fraudsters would appear from nowhere, tell the other about other people that need to buy dollars.
In one of their scams, they allegedly defrauded one of the victims in Muhanga District of Rwf900,000 and Rwf700,000 in Kicukiro District.
CP Kabera advised the general public against buying currencies on black market or outside forex bureaus and banks to avoid falling prey.
Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.
Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.
Among others, 101 people have caught the virus out of 4162 sample tests while five have recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 18 790 people have been tested positive out of 1 004 667 sample tests of whom 17 307 have recovered, 1222 are active cases while 261 have succumbed to the virus.
The statement released last night also shows that 11 people are critically ill.
The prevalence of new infections, recoveries and death tool strands at 2.4% , 92.5%% and 1.4% respectively.
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.
They include one Jackson Nkeshimana, 27, a conductor of the bus RAC 669T, which he had hired to transport 17 traders operating in various markets in Kigali, to Gatsibo District to buy goods in Rwagitima market.
Two others are Jean Paul Hakizimana and Alphonse Hitimana, who work in cyber cafes in Muhima Sector, Nyarugenge District.
Nkeshimana is the suspected mastermind, who allegedly brought Hakizimana and Hitimana on board to forge the movement clearance normally issued by Rwanda National Police.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the vehicle with 17 traders on board was intercepted on February 24, by traffic Police officers at Nyagasambu along Rwamagana-Kigali road as they returned to Kigali from Gatsibo.
“Traffic Police officers at Nyagasambu stopped the bus for checks as a normal procedure to prevent prohibited movements and other violations. When they asked the driver to produce clearance documents, he gave them a paper with names of all 17 passengers on board and another with the Rwanda National Police log resembling the movement clearance permit,” CP Kabera explained.
Out of suspicion, he added, the Police officers called other officers charged with issuing the movement clearence to verify the authenticity of the papers.
“The vehicle was not in the system and neither did RNP issue any clearance for the bus and all the 17 traders on board to travel to Gatsibo District. Investigations showed that the bus conductor–Nkeshimana–hatched the whole plan and worked with Hitimana and Hakizimana to produce the forgeries,” CP Kabera said.
Hitimana and Hakizimana were arrested later after Nkeshimana dislosed their role in the criminal act.
Movement between Kigali and provinces as well as between districts is prohibited.
Only those seeking essential services like medical and cargo vehicles with a maximum of two people on board, are permitted.
Meanwhile, Nkeshimana told journalists at the Police metropolitan headquarters in Remera, that before the pandemic, he used to transport this group of traders to buy goods in Rwagitima market.
“This time, I called each of them to send me their particulars and I compiled a whole list. I later went to Hakizimana and Hitimana, who helped me to forge the movement clearance,” Nkeshimana said.
According to Nkeshimana, each of the passengers paid Rwf8,000; Rwf6,000 as transport fare and Rwf2,000 to process their movement clearance.
According to the driver, he was hired by Nkeshimana to transport the 17 traders to Gatsibo and made him believe that he had secured the same movement clearance documents from Rwanda National Police.
Equally, the traders accused Nkeshimana of defrauding them and intentionally leading them into violating the national directives.
CP Kabera warned against such criminal behaviours and flouting the national COVID-19 prevention directives, which derail response efforts against the pandemic.
He added that the process of acquiring a movement clearance either as an individual or a group is clear and known, which must be followed.
Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.
Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.
Under article 276, “any person who, in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not more than seven years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.”
The penalty also applies to any person, who knowingly makes use of a forged document in any way.
In his remarks, President Kagame noted that the positive examples of cooperation through the East African Community institutions has played a role in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that ‘the regional focus now should be on rebuilding stronger than before, with closer regional cooperation as a pillar of our resilience and prosperity’.
During the summit, President Kagame handed over the chairmanship of the East African Community to the new chairperson, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
{{Full speech: }}
-* Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Chairperson of the Summit
-* Excellencies, Heads of State and Government
-* Secretary-General
-* Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I first wish to congratulate the new Chairperson of the Summit, my brother President Uhuru Kenyatta.
I also extend a warm welcome to our new Secretary-General, Dr Peter Mathuki. We look forward to working closely with you.
I thank our outgoing Secretary-General, Ambassador Libérat Mfumukeko, for his dedication and service to our organisation, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Let me also thank the Heads of State, as well as the East African Community Secretariat, for the cooperation afforded to Rwanda during our tenure as Chair.
This has been a year like no other, for East Africa and for the world.
Our health systems have been challenged like never before, and the disruption to travel and trade has been significant.
This situation has had real impacts on the well-being and livelihoods of our people.
However, the positive examples of cooperation we have seen, through our East African Community institutions, has played a role in mitigating the effects of the pandemic.
Our focus now should be on rebuilding stronger than before, with closer regional cooperation as a pillar of our resilience and prosperity.
Let us continue in this spirit, and actually do even more and better, together.
Part of the money was recovered on Thursday, February 25, from Kayitankore’s son identified as Deo Nzabahimana, 26, who was arrested in Kayonza town.
The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamudun Twizeyimana, said that the suspect, who was living with his mother, fraudulently withdrew the money from a mobile banking agent in Mukarange Sector on February 21.
“On February 20, Kayitankore, who was in company of her son-Nzabahimana-arrived late to deposit money amounting to Rwf1,555,000 to the bank in Kayonza town. She decided to deposit it at the mobile banking agent,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “The following day, Nzabahimana came back to the same agent and fraudulently withdrew all the money. He had stolen his mother’s phone and knew her mobile banking PIN.”
The victim, on realizing that her money had been withdrawn from her mobile account, she filed a complaint at Nyamirama Police station.
“Law enforcement organs worked together to track the person behind this fraudulent act. The banking agent provided some clues on the suspect, who withdrew the money. After withdrawing the money, Nzabahimana sent Rwf55, 000 to his girlfriend, who lives in Rukara. Through his girlfriend, Police and investigators worked together to track and arrest Nzabahimana in Kayonza town with Rwf1, 250, 000, which he was remaining with.”
The spokesperson reminded the general public to always keep their banking credentials secret to prevent such fraudulent attempts.
Under article 166 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million, a community service for a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
The Qatar based television, Al Jazeera yesterday aired 24-minute story about Rusesabagina’s trial.
The talk show dubbed ’Up Front’ of the television, shows that Minister Busingye was invited twice for an interview with a journalist hailing from America, Marc Lamont Hill, 42, who is also a lecturer at Temple University in Philadelphia.
In the first part of the interview, the journalist asked different questions related to how Rusesabagina arrived in Rwanda where the Minister replied that Rusesabagina arrived in Kigali willingly and arrested.
Minister Busingye declined to provide much detail noting that his case is handled in court where everything will be made clear.
The first part of the interview lasts 12 minutes. In the second part, the journalist played a video featuring statements made during Minister Busingye’s interactions with his advisors where he emphasized that there are laws allowing prisons to have access to activities taking place inside including rights to see letters sent to prisons.
During interactions with advisors, he explained that the prison saw a letter detailing plans to facilitate Rusesabagina to escape sent by his daughter.
The Minister revealed that the prison saw the letter and returned it to Rusesabagina.
Recorded private discussions also show Busingye and advisors discussing about the jet which brought Rusesabagina to Kigali and what to explain in the interview.
When the journalist asked who paid the jet, Busingye replied that Rwanda provided payments to the person who brought Rusesabagina to Kigali without violating any laws.
He highlighted that the Government only facilitated the man who brought Rusesabagina to Rwanda.
Marc Lamont Hill yesterday wrote via his Twitter handle that staff of the Ministry accidentally sent the video to Aljazeera.
Moments before my Up Front interview with Rwanda’s Minister of Justice, his team accidentally sent us a video of them discussing and preparing for our interview. On that video, they made statements that clearly contradicted their public statements’.
{{MINIJUST provides clarifications}}
The statement released on Friday 26th February 2021 by the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST) shows that private discussions with Minister Busingye and his advisors seen on Aljazeera don’t reflect the policy of Rwanda Government.
“The Ministry of justice wished to clarify some of the issues raised in an interview with the Minister of Justice broadcast by Aljazeera English on 26th February 2021, and which was based in part on private recording that doesn’t reflect government policy,” reads the statement in part.
“The Minister confirmed that the Government of Rwanda facilitated the journey that led to Paul Rusesabagina’s arrest in Kigali in August 2020, a fact that has been in public domain since September 2020. The Government’s position, which it has argued in court, is that this arrest was legal and proper, and at no time were Mr Rusesabagina’s rights violated,” adds the statement.
The statement also reads that, the Minister confirmed that the privacy of defense communications between lawyers and clients, including those in provisional detention is protected under Rwandan law.
Among others, the Minister highlighted that all other materials entering a prison, including non-privileged correspondence, is subject to routine safety checks by the Rwanda Correctional Service, according to established rules that RCS is mandated to implement.
“When the Minister became aware of a possible violation in December 2020, he immediately instructed that the relevant documents be returned to Mr. Rusesabagina and that RCS take greater care to distinguish privileged from non-privileged documentation,” reads the statement.
The statement further reads that the ‘Minister did not address this matter directly in an interview with Aljazeera knowing that a legal challenge by Mr. Rusesabagina’s defense lawyers on this point was likely, a challenge which was in fact raised in court on 26th February’.
The Ministry also revealed that ‘additional corrective action may be taken by the Ministry of Justice based on the court’s findings’.
Pastor Niyomwungere, 44, is a Burundian with Belgian and Rwandan nationality who brought Rusesabagina to Rwanda.
In mid February 2021, he told Jeune Afrique (through a virtual interview) how Rusesabagina arrived in Kigali.
“He asked me to escort him in Burundi. I never invited him. He wanted to meet with FLN leaders in Burundi and Burundian leaders as well. He wanted me to escort and link him with these leaders,” he said.
Niyomwungere explained that Rwanda Investigation Bureau helped him to plan how Rusesabagina will be arrested in Rwanda.
“My intention was to bring him to Rwanda secretly. I asked him to book a private jet and cheated him that Burundian leaders have agreed to cater for payments. He accepted,” he revealed.
Rusesabagina arrived in Dubai on 27th August 2020 from Dallas in Chicago. Pastor Niyomwungere had arrived earlier and welcomed Rusesabagina to Ibis Hotel.
After having rest, Rusesabagina and Niyomwungere went to Dubai airport where they took a private jet ‘Challenger 605’ belonging to GainJet Airline which brought them to Kigali.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 18 689 people have been tested positive out of 1 000 505 sample tests of whom 17 302 have recovered, 1129 are active cases while 258 have succumbed to the virus.
As of today, the prevalence of new infections, recoveries and death toll stands at 3.3%%, 92.5% and 1.4% respectively.
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.
Saint Michel Cathedral is located in Kiyovu, Nyarugenge district. The ground where the cathedral is located is small that expansion activities seem impossible.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Archbishop of Kigali Antoine Cardinal Kambanda revealed that Kigali has had a plan to build a large cathedral because the existing one is relatively small that expansions seem impossible.
In January 2020, it was announced that the of 5.5 hectare piece of land where seated former Nyarugenge prison was given to the Catholic Church that was required to make a study plan of how the land will be utilized.
Cardinal Kambanda has explained that following the acquisition of the land, the church is currently doing a study complying with Kigali city master plan.
“The next move was to make study plan which is being developed. We gradually provide updates of the progress,” he said.
He revealed that developing a new state-of-the art cathedral doesn’t mean buildings of Saint Michel will be demolished.
The last group of inmates from the ‘1930’ prison were relocated from the historical prison in July 2018 to the new Mageragere correctional facility.
During the ceremony to install Antoine Kambanda as the Archbishop of Kigali Diocese early 2019, he told the tens of thousands of Christians including President Paul Kagame that it was time to have a cathedral that matches the beauty and modernity of the City of Kigali.
“The City of Kigali has developed in remarkable ways. We thank our leadership, particularly the President, for the infrastructure and cleanliness, which is admired by all our visitors. My wish is that we can build a cathedral that is in line with the current Kigali trends,” he said.
In his speech at the ceremony, President Kagame responded to this wish with a pledge to join the church in building the cathedral.
“We shall work together to build it. We will build a new and great cathedral and when that time comes, we shall, if possible build it in a new location. All this will depend on the wishes of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Individuals who spoke to IGIHE have appealed to the Government to ease restrictions so that they can return to work.
“We are leading hard life. We have not been working for over ten months yet we used to get whatever we want from our pocket. We need advocacy to return to work,” said Munyentwari Olivier.
Kamazi Anaclet who worked with a betting company in Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge district, has revealed that he is accommodated by a friend and rarely finds food.
“I left the landlord’s house because I couldn’t afford rental fees. I live by God’s grace and can only eat when Samaritans invite me for lunch,” he said.
Rwamasunzu Patrick, the former Manager of Lucky Bet, currently working as the Secretary of the Association of Gaming Companies said he applied for another job to find means to feed his family.
“I was the Manager at Lucky Bet but the company could not pay salaries when Covid-19 emerged. We were not laid off but didn’t receive salaries. We however do not blame the company because the crisis was brought by Coronavirus. I decided to seek other means to survive with my family,” he explained.
Rwamasunzu said that over 2000 employees working with betting companies lost jobs and appealed to the Government to help these companies run activities online.
Samuel Kamugisha, the Director General in Charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) has told IGIHE that gaming is not the only activity prohibited due to COVID-19 containment measures.
“Gaming operations are not the only businesses prohibited. They don’t neither contribute huge amounts through taxes nor provide the largest number of employments. They are mainly gaming activities for leisure yet such sporting activities are prohibited,” he noted.
Kamugisha explained that only one gaming company registered for online operations while others opted for land based gaming.
As he said, the licensed online gaming company is under the pilot phase to establish whether such services could be successful in Rwanda.
Rwanda has 24 registered gaming companies among whom; Gorilla Games is the only licensed online gaming company that began activities in 2019.
