Among the new cases identified were 17 from Kigali testing in high risk groups, 3 in Kirehe and Rusizi one new case.
The figures released on Wednesday put the number of confirmed cases in Rwanda at 4,460, of which 2,325 including 18 new recoveries recorded on the same day, which means the active cases are now 2114 cases.
As of September 9, 451,408 sample tests had been taken.
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 required to continue complying with government regulations, especially with frequent washing of hands and water and soap, wearing masks when leaving home or in public.
Like in the first phase, all returning residents were first tested for COVID-19.
The number of registered refugees who want to return is 3897, including 485 who returned in the first round.
The first batch of refugees returned on August 27 and was welcomed by the President of Burundi, Gen Maj Evaritse Ndayishimiye.
As the refugees were on their way to the Nemba border, President Ndayishimiye wrote on Twitter saying they wished them well, and asked the rest to return.
“We welcome our relatives who have returned from exile in Mahama. It is a great joy for their families and Burundi. The government is committed to supporting them in every way as they reunite with their families. We encourage others who want to return, Burundi is ours. Welcome to our home! ”
Gatete made the briefing on September 8, during the World Solar Technology Summit organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
It is a technology conference attended by participants from India, France, and other members of the ISA.
In his remarks, the Minister thanked ISA for the idea of organizing the meeting and highlighted how the solar power program is contributing to the delivery of electricity to Rwandans.
“The establishment of a solar-powered coalition is a good idea because it provides a platform for more innovation through the use of solar power,” he said.
Gatete further briefed participants on Rwanda’s progress in delivering electricity to the people.
“In Rwanda, we have always valued the importance of innovation and the use of renewable energy to accelerate the use of solar energy, through the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), which we have set up to be accessible to all electricity in 2024. ”
He added that in the electrification program, solar energy will take a high-table position.
The letter is based on recent measures aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19, especially regarding how people should behave and the penalties imposed on those who violate Covid-19 prevention guidelines.
The Civil Society Organizations say that some measures are contrary to the decisions of the cabinet.
The cabinet meeting on August 26 passed resolutions to further strengthen measures for the prevention of the spread of Covid-19.
Among them was the resolution that “private (private) travels between the City of Kigali and other districts will continue to be carried out but in accordance with the regulations of the health authorities”.
Another resolution was that “public gatherings are prohibited, except for those who have permission and have not more than 30 people.”
The resolution further states that “the permission to host such meetings will be issued by the relevant authorities in collaboration with the RDB, and shall be based on the guidelines of the health authorities.”
The next day, Rwanda Development Board, RDB, issued a statement on August 27 aimed at implementing the directives issued by the Cabinet Decisions.
The statement said that the “applicants for the meeting permission should go through info@rcb.rw and inform the relevant authorities.” Also the reception area does not exceed 30% of the capacity of the reception hall.
The organizers of the meeting also should make sure that the participants should have a Covid-19 tests of not more than 72 hours, and pay a fee of $ 50 (Rwf48,442).
Shortly afterwards, on August 31, the City of Kigali also issued a directive, imposing sanctions on those who violate Covid-19’s proposed measures.
This also came after the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority, RURA, on August 28, declared that “no public buses or motorcycle are allowed to transport anyone to or from Kigali City”.
Non-governmental organizations say that these regulations are contrary to cabinet decisions, because, for example, RURA’s directive that private travels between the City of Kigali and other areas are prohibited, contrary to the Cabinet decision.
The organizations also say that some of these regulations are unclear, making implementation difficult.
Currently, it is alleged that the RDB’s regulations do not clearly define the meaning of “general meetings” or “necessary meetings” which must request for permission from the RDB and tests for COVID19 for all the participants.
They point out that the meetings and conferences referred to are only happening in hotels, rather than in public places such as in markets, in bus stations, and so on.
They also noted that the cost of Covid-19 testing, set at Rwf 48,442, is too expensive and Rwandans could not manage it every time they go to a meeting.
The organizations and their partners say they are also affected by the decision because they have suspended various meetings and activities due to lack of capacity to test each invitee.
They also observed the fines imposed by the City of Kigali on violators of the Covid-19 prevention guidelines are quite high, considering it is at a time when the pandemic has had a devastating economic impact.
They added that testing measures for each participant at a meeting or wedding is not the best way to deal with Covid-19, but that standard measures such as frequent hand washing, social distance and wearing masks would be the best solution.
{{Human rights are threatened}}
The NGOs said a directive that requires people to meet after getting permission is contrary to the Constitution and other international laws to which Rwanda is a signatory, especially Article 39 of Rwanda constitution, defining the right of assembly as passed in 2003, and amended in 2015.
They also said that measures for children under the age of two to wear masks were contrary to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
They also emphasized the need to focus on business, especially in hotels, as meetings and conferences are one of the main sources of income, of which ban will have devastating effects on post-Covid-19 recovery.
To address all these issues, these organizations have called for the establishment of a system to monitor all regulations in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, to comply with national and international law, and not to violate human rights principles.
They also said that regulations that violate human rights and should be removed, or revised. They requested that the guidelines set out in the RDB’s announcement and applying for permit at public meetings and testing the participants within 72 hours should be revised.
As for the City of Kigali’s prohibitive fines for Covid-19 prevention regulations violators, they demanded that they be removed forthwith.
They said the fines should be carried out to the fullest extent of the capacity of the citizens, and be approved after discussions with everyone concerned, including the public. Once approved, it must be announced through legal channels.
They stressed the need for the government to work with its partners as they learn about strategies to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, and to encourage them to step up their efforts to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, including hand washing, wearing face masks and observing social distance.
According to a study by the Goma Volcano Observatory, the eruption will affect more than two million people living on the outskirts of the volcano, especially in city of Goma and Rubavu in Rwanda.
According to the agency, the population growth in Goma has led to some of the people settled on the paths of which these volcanoes may erupt, putting their lives in danger.
The recent volcano eruption was in 2002, caused extensive damage to both the DRC and Rwanda, with Rwanda receiving about 400,000 Congolese refugees; at the time, some houses were demolished on the Congolese side and in parts of Rwanda near Goma.
The premier made the remarks on Tuesday when more than 10,000 people attended a virtual conference on agricultural development in Africa, hosted by Rwanda.
Besides the virtual participants, about a hundred people gathered at the Kigali Convention Center to exchange views on the future of the continent.
Dr Ngirente, while officially opening the 10th Summit called on the youth to be given a special place in the development of Africa through agriculture.
“The African continent has a population of 1.2 billion and over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25. This large number of African youth is the foundation for changing the agricultural sector on this continent, only these young Africans do not see the agricultural sector as an opportunity for profitability and development; so it is important that we continue to highlight the challenges that remain in this regard, attracting young people, especially through the use of technology in agricultural development,” appealed Dr. Ngirente.
Ngirente said Rwanda has set long term development frameworks, rural-urban linkages through integrated development plans which is reflected in a new 30-year development strategy for the period up to 2050 (Vision 2050).
“For this, we are increasing investments in research and innovations. These will generate and disseminate new technologies to boost the overall agricultural production,” Ngirente said.
Ngirente said that specifically 47.2% of the country’s land surface has been allocated for agriculture and livestock in the new revised land use master plan which was launched in September to boost agriculture activities.
He said that there will be increased agricultural production to build a well-functioning rural sector which will support the value chain.
The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Board Chairman also former Ethiopian Prime Minister , Hailemariam Desalegn has hailed Rwanda for taking lead in transforming agricultural growth on the continent.
Desalegn said that Africa’s drive to fuel agriculture at the heart of economic transformation is needed but only a few countries on the continent have managed to invest their resources in this direction.
“Few countries have demonstrated this as well as Rwanda which seems to be recognized by the African Union once again, as a county most on-track with the desired progress in the agriculture sector,” he said.
AGRF says that a $250billion market per year leveraging Urban Food Markets to Achieve Sustainable Food Systems in Africa, is a call to action to rethink our food systems to deliver resilient, better nourished, and more prosperous outcomes for all.
“We need food systems that are equitable, sustainable, resilient, and capable of meeting the global challenges of malnutrition, poverty and climate change as well as be responsive to emerging and unforeseen challenges – such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must not relent in our effort to transform food systems for the benefit of everyone,” said Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA and Special Envoy to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.
The summit is to be held from 8 – 11 September 2020 with over 10,000 participants logging online due to the Coronavirus crisis, and experts expected to discuss this year’s theme “Feeding The Cities Grow the Continent”, in various platforms which will tackle use of agro technology, trade and food chains.
According to Elise Villechalane, the Spokesperson of the UNHCR in Rwanda, technical teams from both countries have been meeting to assess the repatriation process, which has to be agreed upon between Rwanda and Burundi, with the support of UNHCR.
“So far we have 3,637 people who have registered to return home. Over 500 will be transported back home this week. We expect to see more convoys at least every week as more people continue to express the interest to voluntarily return home,” Villechalane said.
Villechalane added that screening activities are ongoing to ascertain those who are ready to voluntarily return home; this includes assessing their health status to see if they need special support, details of where they will go in their home country and the specific needs of each of the refugees.
UNHCR said that pre-departure assessment estimates that over 500 people will be repatriated this Thursday but the final figure will be determined before the D-day as the number of people is expected to increase.
The first group departed last month after sides from Rwanda and Burundi met to agree on the repatriation process. Officials from the Ministries responsible for refugees and military intelligence chief from both sides met to discuss the refugee situation.
Though the repatriation of Burundian refugees to their home country has raised hope of the refugee crisis in the East African region relenting, the UNHCR says it is facing major challenges in regard to the budgetary resources needed support the process.
Calling on the international community and donors to support the process, Villechalane said: “There are more Burundian refugees returning home from different countries, not just the ones in Rwanda Rwanda. There was no budget for this, which means that UNHCR has to find resources by all means so that the refugees can be helped to return home.”
Villechalane also explained that repatriating refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic has turned out to be a strenuous process, since all people who want to return home voluntarily must be tested for the New Coronavirus, as part of the protocol, before they are allowed entry into Burundi.
“We are thankful to the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and Rwanda Biomedical Centre for facilitating this process by conducting tests on refugees who want to voluntarily return home but generally COVID-19 has made it made more difficult for us to carry out this exercise,” she said.
Rwanda is home to some 70, 000 Burundian refugees, 60, 000 of whom are in Mahama Camp located in Kirehe district, Eastern Province. Majority fled the country in 2015 as the country descended into a political conflict triggered by late President Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term.
Some Burundian refugees in Rwanda remain reluctant to return home, fearing reprisal attacks, with many accusing President Ndayishimiye of not making assurances on safety.
Among the new cases identified were 18 from Kigali testing in high risk groups, Rusizi recorded 4 cases, Kamonyi and Rubavu recorded 2 cases each, while Gisagara, Musanze, Kirehe,and Karongi recorded 1 new case each.
The figures released on Tuesday put the number of confirmed cases in Rwanda at 4,439, while the number of recoveries got to 2307 including 36 new recoveries recorded on the same day, which means the active cases are now 2112 cases.
As of September 8, 447,603 sample tests have been taken so far.
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage people to take more precautionary measures, while there is hope that a COVID-19 vaccine may be available in the near future although in terms of treatment, research may still be lagging behind.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Ngamije Daniel, told reporters on Monday that the disease is present in the country and is becoming more prevalent in various parts of the country, more often than not new case are found from people working in closed up areas.
“So it is something we need to keep on doing because in the coming days, in the next three months the vaccine will be available, people should, therefore, be patient during the waiting time so as not to overly charge our healthcare facilities and allowing them to continue to take good care of them,” said the Minister.
Currently, people who are more affected by the pandemic in Rwanda are those that have been diagnosed with other health conditions such as chronic diseases, as diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity.
The Mayor of Kayonza District, Murenzi Jean Claude, told IGIHE that during the 2019/2020 financial year, they decided to build 271 houses for families that had been listed as vulnerable and homeless.
He also said that this year they have started building for other 397 families who are living in dilapidated houses that could cause problems at any time.
Mayor Murenzi urged residents to take good care of the houses they were given because they belong to them not the district.
Solange, a 46-year-old woman living with her three children in Nyamirama Sector, said she is happy to receive the house because she had been living a bad life for a long time.
She said that currently, she is fighting to get out of poverty and raising her children well and change their lives.
Mukambuguje Leocadie, 65, a resident of Mukarange Sector where she had been renting for eight years, said she is grateful to the authorities who took care of her until the house was built for her.
Sacca’s director, Valentine Mukamuyenzi, said helping the District accommodate the needy it is an activity they have embarked on to help the vulnerable people.
“Sacca is already doing a lot of work to help street children and their families, especially the needy. This year we have started a program to help more people who are homeless, working with the district to help them. ”
Each residential building, built at a cost of Rwf3 million, has at least three rooms, it includes house chairs, beds, bathroom, toilet, and kitchen.
The Kiss Summer Awards are organized by Radio Kiss FM, one of the famous radio stations in Kigali City and Rwanda. The Kiss Summer Awards20 is given to artists who have made popular songs during the year.
The Kiss Summer Awards are accorded in four categories: Most popular song of the year, Most popular artist, Most popular rising artist as well as the Best Producer of the Year.
SKOL, as the sponsor of these awards, has created a way to win 20 crates of Skol 100% Malt beverages for fans who will vote for the song or artist who will be awarded the prize.
The Head of Media Relations at Skol, Tuyishime Karim, told IGIHE that the winner of each of the five categories would be the one who voted for the award-winning artist and had a lot of likes for his idea of posting on SKOL’s social networking site after voting on KISS FM’s website.
“That is, when you select an artist or song on the KISS FM website, you will immediately come to SKOL’s Facebook page or SKOL’s Instagram, then write in the comment why you believe the artist [or song] has to win that award.”
“If people give you a lot of likes for that reason in the comments, the idea will have many likes, if the wins, you will win five SKOL Malt crates. Five crates are planned for each category, if you have equal likes then you will share those crates. ”
Tuyishime added that “If you pick a song from a certain artist and win the award in a particular category, and you also have a lot of likes, you will win your five crate prizes.”
“It’s the likes from the day you vote until the end [of September 13] as the artist also has to win, they will count his votes from the time they publish until the last day.”
The awards will be presented on September 13, 2020.
