The Head of State was accompanied by various officials at the airport during the reception of his Togolese counterpart.
President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé last visited Rwanda in August 2024, when he attended President Kagame’s inauguration ceremony at Amahoro Stadium.
In 2018, the governments of Rwanda and Togo signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) that will enhance Rwanda’s airspace expansion in West Africa.
As the agreement was signed in May 2018, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, then State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure, noted that Rwanda could easily export produce like potatoes and flowers to Togo.
In 2018, a team from Togo’s anti-corruption agency (Haplucia) praised Rwanda’s policies on preventing and combating corruption.
In 2023, Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, wrote a message in Kinyarwanda commending President Kagame’s exemplary leadership and urging Rwandans to continue loving their country and leadership.
Ugandan Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng told reporters that the World Health Organization (WHO) had alerted Uganda about the suspected outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera region, which shares a border with Uganda.
Aceng said health authorities have identified Uganda’s border districts of Kyotera, Isingiro, Rakai, Kalangala, and Ntungamo as being at immediate high risk of disease importation.
According to the ministry, no confirmed or suspected cases of MVD — characterized by symptoms such as headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting with blood, body weakness, and external bleeding — have been reported in Uganda.
“We are aware that in addition to cross-border movements through the designated points of entry, there is rapid movement in the non-designated points of entry,” Aceng said. “We have heightened points of entry surveillance, active case search, and public health communication in the high-risk border districts.”
The WHO has classified the regional risk as high, citing Kagera’s strategic role as a transit hub with extensive cross-border movement involving Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“We advise the population to remain calm, especially the population in the high-risk districts,” said Aceng. “They should remain vigilant and report any individual with the signs and symptoms consistent with Marburg and suspicious deaths to the nearest health facility. The ministry will monitor the situation and provide timely updates.”
MVD is a highly virulent disease causing hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, according to the WHO. The virus, which is zoonotic, is transmitted to humans through direct contact with body fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials such as blood, tissues, or surfaces.
A modular operating theatre is a specially designed surgical room that is built using pre-fabricated, modular components.
This allows for flexibility in its design, enabling it to be customized and adapted to meet specific needs or requirements.
It can be expanded or modified easily, depending on future needs, and is equipped with advanced medical technology for performing surgeries.
The event was graced by the CEO of King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, alongside the CEO of Alvo Medical, the esteemed manufacturer of advanced Operating Room (OR) solutions.
Also in attendance were the Deputy CEO (DCEO) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of KFH, along with theatre users, including surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff, who will directly benefit from this cutting-edge facility.
The newly inaugurated modular theatre is equipped with the latest technology designed to support complex cardiac procedures, significantly enhancing patient safety and improving surgical outcomes.
In his address, the CEO of KFH reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to advancing surgical care through innovative OR solutions.
He proudly announced that all 18 theatres planned in the hospital’s expansion project will be built to an even higher standard than the newly inaugurated one.
He emphasized that KFH will no longer construct theatres below this level of excellence.
The CEO of Alvo Medical expressed pride in partnering with KFH to deliver this modern, high-performance surgical environment.
He highlighted Alvo Medical’s commitment to providing innovative and sustainable medical infrastructure capable of serving hospitals for up to 20 years.
King Faisal Hospital has made significant strides in advancing healthcare. In May 2024, the hospital announced that over 300 patients, including children aged between 100 and 150, had undergone heart surgery in the past three years using cardiac catheterization procedure.
In January 2024, it was also reported that in the previous year, more than 175 patients had undergone surgery for heart related diseases, while 18 patients received kidney transplant services in Rwanda.
Besides, the foundation stone for the expansion of King Faisal Hospital, a project that will increase its capacity threefold was laid on July 22, 2024.
The expansion is expected to add nearly 88,000 square meters to the hospital, with a focus on treating rare diseases that are not commonly treated in Rwanda, such as heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and others.
During this meeting, they explored potential areas for further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between Rwanda and Azerbaijan in multiple sectors.
So far, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations and a visa waiver agreement for service and diplomatic passports.
As Ambassador Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga presented his credentials to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in October 2024, both countries expressed their desire to collaborate in advancing various sectors.
At that time, Amb. Kayonga highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, science, education, and humanitarian efforts.
In a recent interview with an Azerbaijani newspaper, Amb. Kayonga shared that the two countries could engage in mutually beneficial trade.
On November 13, 2024, President Paul Kagame met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, where they discussed the partnership between the two countries in advancing key sectors.
The two heads of state focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as investment, trade, and knowledge exchange to ensure the successful implementation of their objectives.
The relationship between Azerbaijan and Rwanda began in 2017. Azerbaijan has an ambassador to Rwanda, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while Ambassador Kayonga is based in Ankara, Turkey.
Dr. Kadozi brings 14 years of extensive experience in capacity building, focusing on business, economics, energy utilization, and environmental conservation.
His academic career includes teaching and research roles at leading institutions such as the University of Rwanda and Kigali Independent University (ULK), where he taught master’s students in economics and development while conducting training sessions across various sectors.
Over the years, he has mentored more than 50 students conducting research at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. These students hailed from Rwanda, Europe, and the United States.
In 2019, Dr. Kadozi earned a PhD in economics from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. His academic credentials also include a master’s degree from Tsinghua University in China and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rwanda, further cementing his expertise.
The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) also welcomed new leadership, with Dr. Flora Mutezigaju appointed as Deputy Director General.
Dr. Mutezigaju holds a PhD in inclusive education for persons with disabilities from Kenyatta University in Kenya, where she also completed her master’s degree.
She joined UNICEF in August 2023 as an education specialist and, in 2021, worked with the World Bank on promoting inclusive education. Prior to that, in 2018, she served as the Director of Inclusive Education Development at REB.
Another notable appointment is Carlène Seconde Umutoni, who became the Deputy Director General of the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA).
She transitioned from MINEDUC, where she worked since 2021. Previously, from 2018 to 2021, she managed projects at MTN Rwanda. Umutoni holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from AUCA, showcasing her strong academic foundation.
Further changes in MINEDUC saw Rose Baguma appointed as the Head of the Education Policy department.
Adia Umulisa now heads the education sector planning, monitoring, and evaluation department, while Jimmy Christian Byukusenge takes on responsibilities as the Director General of Corporate Services.
Esther Shaban Tuyizere has been named an advisor to the Minister of Education, and Jean Baptiste Doxa Niyibizi assumes the role of legal analyst.
New provincial education coordinators have also been appointed. Emmanuel Butera oversees the Eastern Province, Augustin Uwimana is responsible for the Northern Province, Christophe Nsengiyaremye takes charge of the Southern Province, Eric Niyongabo leads in Kigali City, and Jean de Dieu Ntaganira manages education coordination in the Western Province.
Beyond the education sector, other significant appointments include Dr. Edgar Kalimba as Deputy Director General for Medical Services at King Faisal Hospital (KFH). The hospital also established a new board chaired by Dr. Thierry Kalisa, with Dr. Natalie McCall as Vice Chair.
Other board members include Israel Bimpe, Dr. Sanctus Musafiri, Dr. Regis Hitiman, Flora Nsinga, Theogene Maniragaba, Jeannette Rwigamba, and Natacha Butera.
Lastly, Agnes Muhongerwa was named Deputy Chief Gender Monitor in charge of Gender-Based Violence at the Gender Monitoring Office.
The incident occurred at 5:38 p.m. EST (2238 GMT) when SpaceX mission control lost contact with the newly upgraded Starship during its test flight. The rocket, carrying its first payload of mock satellites but no crew, disintegrated eight minutes after liftoff from SpaceX’s South Texas launch facilities.
Fiery debris was spotted streaking across the skies of the Caribbean, with videos shared online showing orange trails over Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
“We did lose all communications with the ship—that is essentially telling us we had an anomaly with the upper stage,” said SpaceX Communications Manager Dan Huot. Minutes later, SpaceX confirmed the rocket’s loss.
The disruption extended beyond the launch site, as dozens of commercial flights were forced to divert or alter their routes to avoid the debris field.
At Miami International Airport, some flights were temporarily grounded, according to eyewitness accounts.
Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that air traffic across the region had been rerouted, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a brief airspace restriction.
The FAA, responsible for regulating private space activities, stated that normal operations had resumed shortly after the debris cleared. The agency regularly closes airspace for rocket launches and reentries but expands these closures if anomalies occur.
Elon Musk responded to the incident with characteristic optimism, posting on X: “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”
Preliminary assessments from SpaceX pointed to an internal liquid oxygen fuel leak as the cause of the rocket’s failure.
The mishap comes amid fierce competition in the private space race.
A day earlier, Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit for the first time. SpaceX’s Starship—standing 2 meters taller in its latest version—was designed with significant upgrades for long-distance space missions, including Mars exploration and satellite deployment.
Despite the setback, Musk has reiterated his commitment to an aggressive testing schedule, aiming for up to 12 Starship flights this year. He downplayed the potential for significant delays, stating that “nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.”
However, the FAA’s forthcoming mishap investigation could affect timelines, especially if debris is found outside designated zones or near populated areas.
Thursday’s test marked the seventh Starship flight since 2023, as part of SpaceX’s test-to-failure approach. While the method has resulted in high-profile failures, it has been instrumental in advancing the engineering limits of reusable rockets. The explosion, however, occurred during a mission phase that SpaceX had successfully completed in prior tests.
The towering Super Heavy booster, a crucial part of the Starship system, performed flawlessly, returning to its launchpad seven minutes after liftoff. The booster executed a controlled descent by reigniting its Raptor engines and latching onto giant mechanical arms affixed to the launch tower—a bright spot in an otherwise troubled mission.
During a press briefing on January 16, 2025, Brigadier General Baratuza acknowledged the losses, stating: “Death is possible because they are not exchanging flowers at war. That is what they signed up for. Even in a bathroom, one can slip and fall to their death. On the battlefield, we say they have fallen with honor.”
The statement came in response to reports of heavy casualties during clashes with the M23 rebel group in Ngungu, Masisi Territory, on January 14.
Allegations have surfaced accusing the Burundian government of concealing information about the fatalities, reportedly transporting bodies to hospital morgues in Bujumbura under secrecy before burial.
While some reports suggest that around 200 Burundian soldiers were killed in Ngungu, Brigadier General Baratuza characterized these figures as exaggerated.
The M23 rebel group has previously shown captured Burundian soldiers in their custody, with some pleading for international assistance to return home.
However, in December 2023, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye denied these claims, stating that the individuals in question were not Burundian soldiers but members of the RED Tabara rebel group.
This statement drew criticism, with families of the captured soldiers confirming their identities as members of the Burundian national army.
Burundian troops have been deployed in North Kivu province since November 2023 under an agreement signed between the Burundian and DRC governments in August the same year.
Rwanda Formed Police Unit Three (RWAFPU3-7) commanded by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Donatha Nyinawumuntu left early in the morning to replace RWAFPU3-6 in the capital Juba, which arrived home later in the afternoon after a successful one-year tour-of-duty.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Emmy Karangwa guided the replaced contingent safely back home.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Yahaya Kamunuga saluted off the deployed contingent of 160 Police officers, majority women, at Kigali International Airport, and received the outgoing contingent, on behalf of the RNP leadership.
While receiving the officers, who completed their peacekeeping duties, ACP Kamunuga commended them for their professionalism and dedication.
“Welcome back to your country. The leadership of the Rwanda National Police appreciates your commitment, discipline, and professionalism, which enabled you to perform your duties effectively,” said CP Kamunuga.
SP Karangwa, the RWAFPU3-6 Deputy Commander of the outgoing contingent, highlighted the diverse activities they carried out during their mission.
These included not only restoring peace and ensuring security but also working with the United Nations staff, the local Police and communities.
“In addition to our primary responsibility of maintaining peace in South Sudan, we also engaged in community development initiatives related to health and hygiene through Umuganda, and teaching the local communities on how to construct organic gardens for proper feeding,” SP Karangwa said.
He added: “We also provided additional support such as donating essential items to local security personnel, including boots and raincoats; scholastic and hygiene items to vulnerable schoolchildren.”
Rwanda began deploying police officers to the South Sudan peacekeeping mission in 2015.
Currently, the country has two contingents in South Sudan, comprising about 400 officers.
The two vehicle, Toyota Noah type, were intercepted on Wednesday, January 15, in Rurembo Village, Byahi Cell of Rubavu Sector.
The vehicles were also transporting assorted wines and liquors, and banned skin bleaching cosmetics locally known as mukorogo.
The Police spokesperson for the Western region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, said that one person, the driver, was arrested in connection with smuggling and fraud. The second driver fled the scene, he added.
“The operation was conducted by the Anti-smuggling and Organized Crime (ASOC) unit following a rip-off from area residents,” SP Karekezi said.
He added: “During the operation, Police intercepted the two Noah vehicles with 25 bales of caguwa, 604 pieces of skin whitening creams, 72 bottles of Leffe Blonde beer, 216 of Red Bull, 20 packs of Red Wine, 24 bottles of Camino whisky, 24 bottles of Smirnoff, and three tins of Nido, powdered milk.”
According to the arrested suspect, the goods were sneaked into Rwanda from the DRC on foot through illegal borders, to a house in Rubavu where they were found being loaded into the two vehicles.
He added that the goods were being transported to Kigali.
SP Karekezi commended the residents for their cooperation in fighting smuggling and related cross-border crimes.
According to the East African Community Customs Management Act, smuggling is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine equal to 50% of the value of the smuggled goods.
A vehicle used in smuggling is also auctioned, and their driver faces a fine of up to $5,000.
Article 87 of Law No. 026/2019 of September 18, 2019, on taxation states that anyone, who intentionally evades taxes by hiding taxable goods or property related to trade, commits tax evasion. If convicted, the offender faces an imprisonment between two and 5 years.
Firefighters have made progress containing the Eaton and Palisades Fires as calmer winds offered some relief.
However, search teams are still looking for 31 people reported missing. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, 24 are unaccounted for in the Eaton Fire area, and 7 in the Palisades Fire zone.
Authorities have recovered human remains at 13 locations linked to the missing, though identifications are still pending. Search and rescue operations continue, alongside efforts to locate more victims.
Evacuations remain widespread, with over 82,000 residents under mandatory evacuation orders and another 90,000 on high alert. Curfews from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. are in place to ensure safety in the affected areas.
Officials have warned that many neighborhoods will remain inaccessible for at least another week as the battle against the devastating fires goes on.
