The statement from the Ministry released last night reads that new cases were found in Kigali: 4, Musanze: 9 and Rubavu: 1.
Since the first case was confirmed on 14th March 2020 in Rwanda, the country has registered 5948 cases out of 629 131 sample tests of whom 5544 have recovered, 355 are active cases while 49 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.
Located in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro, the company started in 2016; producing a variety of dairy products including yogurt, fermented milk, fresh cream, butter, ghee and other products for children and adults.
Masaka Creamery Ltd produces Masaka Yogurt (made of straw berry and vanilla) in pack sizes of 100; 150, 250, 400 and 500mililiters, 5 liters respectively as well as Masaka Yogurt (Natural) available in five-liter packages.
Other products including fermented milk are also made available in different pack sizes meeting consumers’ demand. The company also produces one kilogram Greek Yogurt, Fresh Cream, Mascarpone and Butter (salted /unsalted) and Cow Ghee.
The Managing Director of Masaka Cremery, Julie Igiraneza explains that the company seeks to maintain the lead position in the dairy sector.
“We want to continue positioning the company among the leading producers of dairy products with outstanding quality in Rwanda,” she promises.
Masaka Creamery Ltd employs 40 workers, majority of whom are deaf-mute youth.
“We are committed to continue delivering quality products while creating jobs for Rwandans especially deaf-mute youth,” considers Igiraneza.
Masaka Creamery Ltd is Rwanda Standard Board (RSB) Certified which confirms the company adheres to standards.
The Marketing Manager at the Creamery, Gloria Munana, explains that the company has enough production, fed by ample supplies to meet market demand.
“We receive large quantities of milk on a daily basis and work closely with over 2000 farmers. This helps to meet demand with high quality bulk production,” she emphasizes.
The company also distributes its products to upcountry consumers, in Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Kayonza districts in Eastern Province, Rubavu district in Western Province, Rulindo and Musanza in Northern Province as well as Muhanga, Ruhango and Huye in Southern Province.
For more details, contact 0789911244 , email us on info@masakacreamery.com or visit social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@MasakaCreamery).
Rwanda granted refuge to Burundians in the years of 1972 and 1989. As genocide was prepared that time, Burundian refugees also took part in it. Apart from refugees, more Burundians, who were teachers in different parts of the country like Gisagara and Rusizi were also involved.
Not only genocide survivors testify their role during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but also foreigners like Belgian, Constant Julius Goetschalckx known as Frère Stan (Brother Stan) are aware of the truth.
Brother Stan worked in Rwanda’s refugee camps in 1980.
In 2008, he testified at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) how Hutu Burundian refugees played role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Some of refugees (Hutu Burundians) from Saga camp in commune Muganza, Butare Prefecture were involved in killings. I reported it to officials that time,” he said.
Different genocide survivors testifies that Brother Stan is among masterminds behind such heinous acts that he later after genocide founded a school in Tanzania where he used to receive friends from ex-FAR militia (defeated former government army) and politicians who perpetrated genocide.
Faustin Nyakazungu, 77, lived in former Commune Ntyazo in Mpanda cell but was hunted.
Speaking to IGIHE, he reflected on neighboring Tutsi killed by Burundian refugees who stabbed one adult woman saying ‘let us see if she can bleed blood or milk as they drunk much milk.’
“I was living in the neighborhood of those Burundians. I am one of people who were not hunted. I know well their deeds. They were characterized by extreme bad characters. They killed an old woman called Nyinawabo Bernadette and another man Jabo Félix. Those killers were with Interahamwe. The old woman was stabbed by a Burundian saying he wanted to find out if female Tutsis bleed blood or milk they drunk. In know many of them,” said Nyakazungu.
Burundians who stayed in Saga camp are accused of killing Tutsi in Mugombwa while others in Nyagahama camp killed Tutsi in former commune Ntongwe and Mugina among others.
After killings, they dumped remains in a mass grave along with other Tutsis killed at different road blocks. The mass grave was named CND as a way to show they were sending them to Inkotanyi colleagues.
Samuel Dusengiyumva is among genocide survivors in Ntingwe. He was 13 year old in 1994 studying at a secondary school in Save. He is currently a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government.
As he attended the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Ruhango district last year, narrated how Burundian refugees were used to train Interahamwe to kill Tutsi of torture.
“Those people from Burundi who were accustomed to killing Tutsi of torture trained Interahamwe in commune Ntongwe to the extent that they also set road blocks and set a heating brazier. Before loading remains of genocide victims to be dumped in CND mass grave, they first removed hearts, other internal fleshes which they roasted and ate. They killed people with extreme cruelty,” he said.
Jeanne Muhorakeye, a survivor from Kinazi in Ruhango district once revealed that they took care of Burundian refugees in the area and clothed them but ended up joining Hutus to kill Tutsi during the genocide.
In Kinazi, Burundian refugees joined killings upon instructions of Charles Kagabo who was the head nurse of Kinazi health center. The latter who had served as the mayor of Ntongwe commune in 1992 requested the refugees to collaborate with Interahamwe to exterminate Tutsi.
He was handed life sentence in absentia by different Gacaca courts from Gikoma, Ruhango, Gitisi, Bweramana and Rutabo in Kinazi in 2008.
{{Torture}}
Genocide survivors from neighborhoods of camps that accommodated Burundian refugees narrated how they tortured Tutsi.
It is said that Burundian refugees removed the heart, sucked flesh blood, and roasted made brochette.
They are also alleged to have hit pointed sharp objects into girls’ sex.
Gatandara of Mururu sector is one of areas where Interahamwe and Burundian refugees killed many Tutsis, removed hearts and ate them. The same happened in Kizura of Gikundamvura where they killed Rwicaninyoni and made brochette.
Other Tutsis on Rukungu village of Cyato sector were also killed of torture burnt inside a grass thatched house belonging to one Karekezi Alfred.
At the beginning of this year, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) released three books detailing bitter history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi especially in former Gitarama and Cyangugu Prefectures.
These books also talk about Tutsis killed in Kabgayi forests, former commune Ntongwe and Mugina killed by Interahamwe and Burundian refugees.
{{Burundi kept a deaf ear}}
As countries are requested to play role in the process of bringing to justice genocide fugitives, Burundi kept a deaf ear rejecting Rwanda’s request to bring to book suspects or extradite them to Rwanda to face justice.
In August last year, the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General , Johnston Busingye told the parliament that genocide is an imprescriptible crime that files for Burundians suspected for involvement in genocide have been arranged.
“Matters regarding Burundians are often reflected and which goes hand in hand preparation of related files. Action will be taken as relations return to normal but you should know that such cases are imprescriptible,” he said.
The former Rwanda’s Prosecutor General, Mutangana Jean Bosco last year revealed that the matter of Burundians relented due to lack of political will.
“We have cases of Burundians who perpetrated Genocide in Rwanda and fled but Burundi showed no political will to help us track those suspects. The issue is persistent. There are many especially in Gisagara, Nyaruguru at the border with Burundi. We issued arrest warrants but got no reply. That’s a problem,” he said.
Mutangana explained that Rwanda is eying support from Interpol to arrest those fugitives.
{{Genocide survivors demand justice }}
The Executive Secretary of IBUKA, Naftar Ahishakiye has told IGIHE that genocide survivors in Southern and Western Provinces are thirsty to see such Burundians brought to book.
“Burundians played a great role during preparations of genocide. Some were trained to use guns along with Interahamwe and openly collaborated during genocide to kill Tutsi,” he said.
He explained that bringing the suspects to book will relieve genocide survivors.
“There is a wound and thirst for justice. In fact, these neighboring countries should understand the severity of Genocide against the Tutsi than other far distant countries. They witnessed it and saw people fleeing to their countries. They actually followed updates than others. They should demonstrate willingness to render justice and fight genocide ideology a way further compared other countries. However, the persistent lack of willingness is saddening,” noted Ahishakiye.
So far, Rwanda’s Prosecution has issued 1144 arrest warrants for genocide fugitives in 33 countries worldwide, majority of which being African countries.
Nine countries have tried 23 genocide fugitives while 24 have been extradited to Rwanda from nine countries.
The project consists of renovating existing roads in the districts of Nyabihu (90 km), Gakenke (58 km ), Nyaruguru ( 68 km), Nyagatare (78 km ), Gatsibo (79 km ) and Rutsiro (km 77).
It is expected that 253km will be covered by cheap-seal surfacing while the remaining 197km will be compacted.
The Mayor of Rutsiro district, Emerence Ayinkamiye has told IGIHE that the project is expected to boost connectivity once completed.
“The contract to execute the project has been signed. So far, the works to renovate 39 kilometers road has started while contractors are getting equipment and workers ready for the remaining part. These roads will boost connectivity among residents, easily transport produce to the market and easily connect with other districts. We have a road to be covered by cheap-seal surfacing additional to other roads being compacted,” she said.
The roads are also expected to boost tourism in Rutsiro district which has a large part touching Lake Kivu. Indeed, 80% of Lake Kivu islands are located in Rutsiro district of which economy heavily relies on the agriculture of coffee and tea.
“Many residents will get jobs during construction of the roads and after because people will be able to move to easily,” she explained.
Ir Makuza Jean Pierre, Gakenke district official in charge of road infrastructure has said that the project to build 69km roads started towards the end of last year.
“These include tarmac road covering 41kilometers while the rest will be compacted. The purpose of these projects is to facilitate residents to transport their produce easily to markets and improve connectivity,” he said.
The new roads will connect Buranga – Kamubuga to Base main road.
As per performance contracts signed recently by the Ministry of Infrastructure, the project is subject to be implemented at 8% in the first quarter, 20% in the second and 28% in the third quarter and 40% at the end of this year.
The entire project is estimated at a cost of Rwf 31,068,482,458 during 2020/2021 fiscal year.
Baganizi Patrick Emile, Deputy Director General of Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) recently told IGHE that the project’s execution is underway.
“Construction activities have started but we are still at the beginning. The implementation stands between 10 and 15%. It is the second phase of these works because there are other completed activities. These roads facilitate the transport of produce to the market,” he said.
Mutabazi is a young businessman said to own a shop worth Rwf 35 million in Ruhango district. His family missed him on 21st November 2020 around 2pm, failed to locate the man and reported the case to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Ruhango station the following morning.
At the same time, Rwandans inside the country and abroad started advocacy claiming the man belonging Green Party (one of political parties registered in Rwanda) was abducted by security officials.
IGIHE has learnt that the man might have fled home trying to run away from heavy debt issues and spoke to different sources including Mutabazi to establish the truth.
Mutabazi told IGIHE that he had a civil marriage planned on 10th December 2020 and religious wedding after ten days.
The latter explained that he was born in Karongi district but running foods and beverages business in Ruhango district.
Mutabazi revealed that he was never kidnapped but rather fled his residence due to clashes with his sister and brother in law.
As for the case, they were shareholders of the aforementioned shop and requested Mutabazi to give them shares before his wedding.
“They came to stay at my home saying they want to get money worth their shares or stay with me. I told them to stay and help me to the run the business. They later deprived me of the shop’s keys and felt deranged. I decided to leave them to meditate the situation given that I also had a wedding on 20th December,” he said.
As he narrated, Mutabazi left on 21st November and headed to Nyaruguru where he spent three days. He later, in the morning bought bus ticket on different names and headed to Kigali where he spent night in Kimironko and went to Rwamagana the following day.
“Upon arrival in Rwamagana, I heard that my disappearance triggered speculations that I might have died. I traveled again and found someone whom I begged help as I arrived in Kabuga ka Musha. I told him that I committed no offense except people worried of my disappearance,” he said.
“I asked him to escort me to the forest, tie me and alert local leaders. He agreed to tell soldiers in the nearby barrack and did so. As soldiers came for rescue, they untied me, took me Police Station which later took for medical checkup because I was not feeling well,” added Mutabazi.
He explained that depriving him of the shop destabilized him as it was the only source of funds to pay debts.
“I owed debts to other people and fell in ambiguity as I had no other source of funds. This cumbersome situation pushed me to leave without telling anyone,” he said.
Mutabazi revealed that he had Rwf 20 million bank loan to which the outstanding of Rwf 14 million.
“No one abducted me. I left willingly to meditate my situation. That is why I asked the child to alert the Police or Military for intervention,” he noted.
His brother in law had asked Mutabazi to pay Rwf 5.4 million in November and the rest totaling Rwf 2 million in January 2021 so he could accept to distance from him.
“After learning about my wedding, he came to stay with me saying it is impossible to arrange wedding without paying him. We wrote statements indicating that we share the shop that he will continue to work with me in November if the payments are not cleared,” explained Mutabazi.
He apologized to officials and his family advising people to distance themselves from lies.
{{Connivance}}
A young man called Bosco Niyomugabo, 25 from Rwamagana district; Mwulire sector was lured to tie Manirakiza. He was returning home from construction work on 27th November 2020.
As the bus from Rwamagana stopped nearby Niyomugabo, a man stepped out and asking him if he was willing to do a job.
Mutabazi told Niyomugabo to wait a bit and went to buy a scarf from a nearby shop. As he returned, Mutabazi asked the young man he didn’t hear announcement for a disappeared person and replied ‘no’.
“That person who disappeared is me. He was working for a political party which is not easily coming across my mind. I am from Ruhango. He asked me whether I know the surrounding forests and replied ’yes’. He then asked me to escort him inside. He gave me two ropes and instructed me tie the month and cover his face with a scarf. He told me to tie him on a tree using the second rope and rush to alert officials,”said Manirakiza.
As he explained, Mutabazi immediately gave him Rwf 2000 and rushed to alert nearby military barracks. “He had advised me to say that I heard someone crying as I went urinate,” narrated Manirakiza.
Upon arrival to the scene, soldiers took a picture and asked Manirakiza to untie the man.
The Acting spokesperson of RIB, Dr Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that the institution learnt about the disappearance upon report of his aunt.
“On 25th November 2020, Ruhango RIB station received a complaint from Nyiraneza Marthe (the man’s aunt) reporting that a man identified as Mutabazi Ferdinand went missing. Investigation started immediately. The man was on 27th November found tied in the forest of Rwamagana district, Musha sector, Musha cell, in Rugarama village,” he said.
Dr Murangira explained that the man accused his brother in law Nshimiyimana Samuel to have betrayed him leading into abduction by unknown people.
Dr Murangira futher says, investigation continued until the man revealed the truth that he wanted to drag the brother in law in prison so he could get rid of debts burden.
“Mutabazi told investigators that he sought someone to tie him in Musha’s small forest and alert security officials in compensation for money. It happened as planned that the man tied him and alerted officials who rushed to the scene,” he explained.
Dr Murangira appealed on Rwandans to avoid similar crimes and seek mediation instead of making poor decisions.
“What Mutabazi did is an example of cases reported to RIB that people went missing yet they fled problems. Some of such cases are related to people leaving their homes without telling family members due to different problems like debts and other family issues,” he said.
“In the process, some try to drag people in their cases. Others flee and join terror groups abroad or keep hiding in other countries,” added Dr Murangira.
“Trying to hide behind abduction reasons to solve problems is not the remedy. It however exposes you to further risks.”
The man detained at Ruhango Station on account of false accusation. If convicted, he is liable to a sentence between two and six months and a fine ranging from Rwf 300.000 to Rwf 500.000.
{Before COVID-19 pandemic, RwandAir had announced plan to buy four new aircrafts including two Airbus A330neo and two Boeing 737 Max 8 which has been suspended. }
During a recent press briefing, Minister Gatete said that RwandAir cannot buy a new aircraft during COVID-19.
“Even existing aircrafts are not fully serving their purpose due to COVID-19. We have to wait until passengers can fly safely to expand activities. We cannot expand during this period,” he explained.
The new aircrafts were expected to be used for RwandAir’s flights to Guangzhou in China, New York in the United States, Dubai, Lagos, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
RwandAir management recently announced that flights have resumed at 70% in November 2020.
RwandAir currently uses various aircrafts including two Boeing 737-700NG, two Bombardier CRJ-900 NextGen, four Boeing 737-800NG, two Bombardier Q-400 NextGen, one Airbus A330 – 300 and one Airbus A330 – 200.
In a bid to support RwandAir’s recovery from COVID-19, the Government of Rwanda increased the budget allocated to the carrier to Rwf 145,1 billion in the iscal year 2020/2021 from Rwf 121,8 of last year.
In February this year, Qatar Airways announced that discussions were ongoing to buy 49% shares in RwandaAir.
The deal is considered a great development to improve operations considering the reputation of Qatar Airways. The latter won four prestigious prizes at 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, including the highest accolade of ‘World’s Best Airline’ – becoming the only airline in the competition’s history to win it five times (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019).
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently announced that aviation companies will earn US$419 billion this year from US$838 billion of last year.
The remains buried on Sunday 29th November 2020 were exhumed during different construction and agricultural activities.
Some relatives of victims laid at the memorial revealed that the decent burial soothes their hearts.
“It is of great value to accord decent burial which we have wished for long. We thank God for making it possible. Even if we cried for long, at least our hearts are relieved because we know where they are laid to rest,” said Mireille Umurungi.
The President of IBUKA (umbrella organization of genocide survivors) in Huye district, Theodat Siboyintore blamed people hoarding information of location of remains of genocide victims.
“It is a good occasion to blame people retaining information of whereabouts other victims is dumped to accord a decent burial. Revealing such information helps us along the resilience journey,” he said.
More remains 100 of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were found in Karama sector, Huye district this year during preparation the land for school construction. No one had provided information.
Parliamentarian, Veneranda Uwamariya explained that failure to reveal where more victims are dumped is a barrier to unity and reconciliation.
She urged people to reveal information that could help to locate more remains of victims for decent burial.
Local leaders and security officials found the body yesterday dumped in the toilet belonging to the family of a man who recently cohabited with Nyiramana in Ruhango sector.
Nyiramana was reported missing last week. At the time, residents claimed that the cohabiting man might know the truth about her disappearance.
Local leaders and security officials mounted a search until they found the body yesterday in toilet.
The spokesperson of RIB, Dr Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that four people have been arrested in connection with the murder.
He explained that the suspects include a 40 year old man who cohabited with Nyiramana and his 35 year old friend.
Dr Murangira said the two suspects explained that they committed the murder on the order of a 70 year-old-father in law and brother-in-law.
“The four suspects are pinned for murder of Nyiramana Agnes, 37, and dumping her body in toilet. They explained, the woman was murdered for reporting her husband who trafficked drugs leading to his detention,” he said.
RIB appealed on Rwandans to distance themselves from such heinous crimes that whoever caught will be held accountable.
The four suspects are detained at RIB Station in Ruhango district. Their case is to be filed and transferred to the prosecution.
A statement from the Ministry of Health released last night reported 15 new cases out of 2196 samples and 36 recoveries.
New patients were found in Kigali: 2, Burera: 6, Rwamagana: 3, Rubavu: 2, Nyaruguru: 1 and Musanze: 1.’
The first case was confirmed in Rwanda on 14th March 2020.
So far 5934 cases have been found out of 626311 sample tests. 5516 have recovered, 369 are active cases while 49 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 minister made the call on Sunday during a visit in Nyaruguru district which recently topped all districts in 2019/2020 performance contracts.
The Minister was attending a ceremony to reward best performing Imboni z’umupaka (groups of volunteers working closely with security officials to reinforce security at borders) from Nyamagabe, Nyanza and Gisagara districts in Southern Province.
Bordering with Burundi, Southern Province organized competitions for sectors touching Burundi borders.
Security threat architects from Burundi have been reportedly repelled at different times trying to attack Rwanda through Nyungwe forest.
The Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi explained that the competition focused on values of protecting their security, preventing smuggling and illegal border crossing, promoting unity and reconciliation, social interactions among others.
Minister Shyaka lauded Nyaruguru district and its residents for topping performance contracts and winning majority awards in the competition.
Nyaruguru won three out four awards during the competition.
He requested residents to stick of the principle of protecting their security, avoid illegal border crossing and related crimes including smuggling, improve hygiene, fight against domestic violence especially for girls, and take part in budget planning and decision making and other development initiatives.
